Husband buried in the house and laid tiles, a shocking incident of wife in Mumbai! Nalasopara Murder Case Explained

A gruesome murder has shaken the quiet neighborhood of Gangadipada in Nalasopara, a suburb of Mumbai, after police uncovered the decomposing body of 32-year-old Vijay Chauhan beneath the newly tiled floor of his own home. The shocking discovery, made on July 22, 2025, came nearly three weeks after Vijay was reported missing by family and friends. What initially seemed like a sudden and mysterious disappearance has now unraveled into a chilling tale of betrayal, violence, and calculated cover-up, drawing eerie parallels to the plot of the 2015 Indian thriller Drishyam.

The investigation began when Vijay’s sudden absence from work and social circles raised concern. He was last seen around the first week of July, and efforts to contact him were met with silence. As days passed, suspicion grew, especially since Vijay had not informed anyone of travel plans or shown signs of distress prior to vanishing. His family, deeply worried, filed a missing persons report with the Tulinj police. In response, officers launched a routine search, initially suspecting foul play but finding no immediate evidence to support it.

However, a major breakthrough came when neighbors reported strange activity in and around Vijay’s home shortly after his disappearance. According to multiple accounts, there was the distinct sound of drilling, hammering, and construction work during odd hours. The house, which was usually kept tidy and quiet, appeared to have undergone recent renovation, specifically in the flooring of one room. This sudden and unexplained home improvement—without Vijay’s known involvement—only added to the suspicions.

Acting on this tip, the police obtained a search warrant and began a thorough inspection of the premises. Upon entering the house, officers noted the pungent smell of decomposition emanating from one section of the floor. The tiles there were newly installed and appeared slightly raised compared to the rest of the room. With forensic experts on standby, the floor was carefully broken open. What lay beneath was horrifying—a decomposing human body, later identified as Vijay Chauhan, wrapped in plastic sheets and buried in a shallow pit beneath the concrete layer.

The condition of the body suggested it had been buried for over two weeks. Forensic examination revealed injuries consistent with blunt force trauma to the head and chest, indicating a violent struggle. The autopsy later confirmed that Vijay died from internal bleeding caused by multiple strikes from a heavy object. His wrists showed signs of restraint, suggesting he had been tied up before being killed.

The focus of the investigation swiftly turned to Vijay’s acquaintances, especially those who had access to his home. The police detained several individuals for questioning, but one name stood out—Arjun Rathod, a 28-year-old local laborer and part-time electrician who had reportedly worked for Vijay in the past. Arjun was not only familiar with the layout of the house but had also been seen near the property around the time of Vijay’s disappearance.

Under intense interrogation, Arjun eventually confessed to his involvement in the murder. According to his statement, he had a personal dispute with Vijay over money and alleged mistreatment. The conflict escalated on the night of the murder, when Arjun confronted Vijay at his home. The argument quickly turned violent. In a fit of rage, Arjun struck Vijay with a metal rod, knocking him unconscious. Realizing what he had done, Arjun panicked but decided to cover up the crime rather than report it.

What followed was a disturbingly calculated attempt to conceal the evidence. Arjun, with the help of another accomplice—who is currently absconding—returned the following night with tools and materials. They moved Vijay’s body into the corner of the room, dug a pit into the concrete floor, and buried the body before sealing it with fresh cement and laying new tiles. The entire operation took several hours and was conducted under the cover of night. To mask the odor and delay discovery, they used deodorants, acid-based cleaning agents, and a makeshift ventilation system.

In his confession, Arjun also admitted that he had taken Vijay’s phone and sent a few misleading texts to family members and colleagues to make it seem as though Vijay had voluntarily gone out of town. However, the texts soon stopped, and the phone was later switched off—an oversight that contributed to the unraveling of the ruse.

As the investigation deepened, police found more incriminating evidence: CCTV footage from a nearby grocery store showed Arjun buying construction materials shortly after the estimated time of Vijay’s death. A receipt from a hardware shop matched items recovered from the crime scene. Forensic teams also found fingerprints matching Arjun’s on the handle of the metal rod believed to be the murder weapon, which was discovered hidden in a nearby drain.

The case has since sent shockwaves throughout the community. Neighbors, who described Vijay as a quiet and respectful man, expressed disbelief over the incident. “He was a decent person, always polite. No one could have imagined something like this happening,” said one local shopkeeper who had known Vijay for years.

In contrast, Arjun was known to be temperamental and had previous run-ins with the law for petty theft and assault. Police are now searching for his accomplice, whose identity is known but has yet to be publicly disclosed. The authorities believe the second suspect played a key role in planning the concealment and may have helped Arjun flee temporarily after the murder.

The media has drawn comparisons between this case and fictional crime thrillers, particularly Drishyam, in which a character buries a body under a police station floor to cover up a crime. However, unlike the calculated fictional plot where the criminal almost outsmarts the law, the real-life events in Nalasopara reveal the desperation and brutality behind such acts. The police have emphasized that while inspiration from pop culture may influence some crimes, the reality of investigation and forensic science often leads to eventual justice.

Senior officers from the Palghar District Police commended the swift action and community support that led to the resolution of the case. “Without the tip-offs from neighbors and the detailed forensic work, this case could have remained a mystery for much longer,” said a spokesperson.

The authorities have also warned against glorifying such crimes or treating them as cinematic stories. They urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. “Criminals often underestimate the power of collective community awareness,” said an officer involved in the investigation. “This case is a grim reminder that no matter how clever the cover-up, the truth has a way of coming to light.”

As of now, Arjun Rathod is in police custody and has been charged with murder, destruction of evidence, and criminal conspiracy. He is expected to face trial in the coming months. The search for his accomplice continues, and police are confident of making an arrest soon.

Vijay Chauhan’s family, still reeling from the shock, has called for the harshest punishment for those responsible. In a brief statement, his elder brother said, “We just want justice for Vijay. No one deserves to die like this.”

As the case unfolds in court, the people of Nalasopara and beyond watch closely—not out of morbid curiosity, but in hope that justice will prevail and that such a brutal crime will not be repeated.

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