Salma Sultana Lashkar, a 31-year-old news anchor, was strangled to death by her boyfriend Madhur Sahu and his associates in Korba, Chhattisgarh, India, on October 21, 2018. The couple had a live-in relationship disapproved by the victim's family. Sahu exhibited controlling and abusive behavior, including financial exploitation and infidelity. The victim was strangled with a scarf, and her body was buried under a road construction site. The case was initially a missing person investigation but was reopened in 2023, leading to arrests and ongoing trial proceedings as of 2026.
Country: India
State/Province: Chhattisgarh, India
City/Region: Korba
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Live-in relationship
Relationship Duration: Approximately 7–9 months
Incident Date: Oct. 21, 2018
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 7–9 months
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2018-10-21
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Domestic Violence
The relationship was characterized by controlling and abusive behavior from the suspect, including financial exploitation and infidelity. The victim faced physical abuse and threats, culminating in fatal violence. The conflict escalated over financial pressures and infidelity, leading to a homicide involving multiple defendants.
The case was initially treated as a missing person investigation but was reopened in 2023 under 'Operation Muskan.' Police used satellite imagery, ground-penetrating radar, and forensic excavation to locate the body. DNA analysis confirmed the victim's identity. Three defendants, including the primary suspect, are in custody awaiting trial as of 2026. Witness testimony was crucial in establishing the sequence of events.
Initial police investigation was hindered by the suspect's false claims about the victim's whereabouts, causing delays. The case was cold until reopened years later with advanced forensic methods.
The victim and suspect met and entered a live-in relationship in early 2018. Financial dependence and infidelity caused escalating conflict. On October 21, 2018, an argument over financial obligations and infidelity led to physical assault and strangulation by the suspect and an associate. The body was concealed under a road construction site. Witness testimony and forensic evidence later confirmed the crime.
High risk due to documented physical abuse, coercive control, financial exploitation, and escalating violence culminating in homicide.
Early signs of controlling behavior, financial exploitation, and infidelity can escalate to fatal violence. Delays in investigation can occur due to suspect deception. Advanced forensic techniques and witness cooperation are critical for case resolution.
Controlling behavior, jealousy, physical abuse, financial exploitation, and death threats were early warning signs.
Witness testimony from household help and forensic evidence including DNA and ground-penetrating radar findings helped connect the case.
Forensic excavation, DNA analysis, satellite imagery, and witness statements were strongest evidence types.
The domestic help, Komal Singh Rajput, testified about the struggle, murder, and threats made by the suspect to ensure silence.
Follow-up reports reopened the case years later with new forensic methods, leading to arrests and trial proceedings.
Specific sentencing guidelines under Indian law for the charges remain unclear.