Husband of 22 years bashes woman’s head in

Rajkot: What began as an ordinary Friday morning in a Rajkot household ended in the murder of a 40-year-old woman, as her husband’s suspicion of infidelity led to a blood-curdling assault with a hammer.

Shilpa Lalani was killed on Friday, allegedly by her husband of 22 years, Altaf Lalani. The attack with a hammer came after a heated argument over a suspected affair. The crime unfolded at Shivalik Building near Raiya Telephone Exchange. According to preliminary police inquiries, Altaf had long suspected his wife of having an affair, a suspicion that was fortified that morning.

Police said Altaf left home early, as usual, to open his grocery store in Raiyadhar and returned around 10am. An argument soon broke out between the couple.

During the exchange, Altaf allegedly told Shilpa that a woman named Bhanu, the wife of a man named Jitu, had come to his shop and complained that Shilpa was messaging her husband.

Investigators said the confrontation quickly turned violent. In a fit of rage, Altaf allegedly struck Shilpa on the head with a hammer. He then fled the house.

Shilpa’s niece, Nayab Jivani, who was in the house at the time, raised the alarm. She informed relatives and rushed Shilpa to Civil Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police said Shilpa, who was from Porbandar, had been married to Altaf for 22 years. The couple had two children — a daughter who works in Ahmedabad and a son pursuing his studies in Mumbai.