What is the Delhi Instagram murder case?
In a shocking crime in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, a woman named Sushmita and her cousin-turned-lover Rahul were arrested for murdering her husband Karan Dev. The duo drugged Karan with sleeping pills and electrocuted him, making the death look accidental. The truth came out after police discovered incriminating Instagram chats revealing their plan in real time.
Delhi Instagram Murder Case: Key Highlights
- Victim: Karan Dev, 36, jeweller from Uttam Nagar
- Accused: Sushmita (wife) and Rahul (cousin and lover)
- Modus Operandi: Drugged with 15 sleeping pills, electrocuted to fake accident
- Evidence: Instagram chats, online search history, toxicology report
- Legal Action: Arrested under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder
How a Delhi Man Was Murdered and It Was Almost Missed
On July 13, 2025, Delhi Police received a call about a man allegedly dying from electrocution in his home. The deceased, Karan Dev, was declared dead at Mata Rooprani Maggo Hospital. His wife, Sushmita, told the family he had accidentally touched a live wire.
Initially, the death was believed to be accidental. However, a mandatory post-mortem report revealed inconsistencies. It noted traces of sedatives and unnatural signs of electric shock. What followed was a stunning discovery that turned the case on its head.
Instagram Chats Unravel Murder Conspiracy
Three days later, Karan’s brother Kunal Dev accessed his phone and found shocking Instagram messages between Sushmita and her cousin Rahul.
The chats revealed:
- A plot to poison Karan with sleeping pills
- Frustration when he didn’t die quickly: “Still no death, what to do?”
- Rahul’s reply: “Give him a shock.”
- Discussions about tying him up and simulating an accident
Police used these messages as primary evidence to reopen the case as homicide, not accident.
How the Murder Was Carried Out
Step-by-step account:
- July 12, 2025:
Sushmita mixes approximately 15 sleeping pills into Karan’s food. - Late Night:
Karan becomes drowsy, but remains semi-conscious. Sushmita messages Rahul, panicking. - Execution:
Following Rahul’s suggestion, she administers an electric shock using a power cord to mimic accidental electrocution. - Aftermath:
Karan is rushed to the hospital. Sushmita maintains the lie of an accidental shock until the post-mortem contradicts her story.
Forensic Evidence Confirms Foul Play
- Toxicology Report: Detected high levels of sedatives
- Autopsy: Showed deliberate electrocution, not accidental
- Digital Evidence: Instagram DMs, Google search like “how long does it take to die from sleeping pills”
- Confession: Both Sushmita and Rahul admitted their roles during police interrogation
Legal Action and Arrests
- Sushmita (35) and Rahul (24) have been arrested under Section 103 of the BNS (Murder)
- Investigations are ongoing into motive, financial transactions, and prior abuse claims
- Delhi Police Commissioner has confirmed that charges will be filed soon, and the accused remain in custody
Public Reaction and Social Media Crime Concerns
This murder has shocked Delhi’s Uttam Nagar community. It also raises serious concerns about how social media platforms like Instagram are used in crimes — not just for communication, but to plan and execute murders.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent in digital evidence-based prosecution under India’s newly adopted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What You Should Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who are the accused in the Delhi electrocution murder case?
A1. Sushmita, the victim’s wife, and her cousin Rahul are accused of planning and executing the murder.
Q2. How was the murder committed?
A2. Karan Dev was drugged with sleeping pills and then electrocuted to make the death look accidental.
Q3. What led police to suspect foul play?
A3. Instagram chats between the accused and the post-mortem report raised red flags.
Conclusion
The Delhi Instagram murder case is a chilling example of how digital footprints can both aid in committing and exposing crimes. The evidence trail—from drugging, online chats, to electric shock—painted a picture of a premeditated, cold-blooded killing hidden behind the mask of domestic life.
Delhi Police’s swift use of digital forensics ensured that the truth came to light, serving justice to the victim’s family and sending a clear message: no crime is perfectly hidden in the age of digital surveillance.
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Amit Sharma is the Content Editor at JurisHour. He has been writing about the Indian legal market. He has covered tax & company litigation stories from the Supreme Court, High Courts and Various Tribunals. Amit graduated from MLSU Law College with B.A.LL.B. and also holds an LL.M. from MLSU, Udaipur, Rajasthan. An Advocate in Taxation, and practised in Tribunals as well as Rajasthan High Court and pursued Masters in Constitutional Law. He started out small with little resources but a big plan to take tax legal education to the remotest locations across India and eventually to the world. His vision is to make tax related legal developments accessible to the masses.
