Rajkot: For two years, a family was told their missing relative was working in Australia. On Wednesday night, that story collapsed beneath the concrete floor of a factory in the Dared GIDC estate in Jamnagar, where police unearthed human remains, believed to be those of 36-year-old Jignesh Mavadiya, who was allegedly murdered, buried and concealed in a chilling two-year cover-up.Jamnagar police recovered the human remains late on Wednesday night after excavating the premises with heavy machinery.Police arrested Jignesh’s wife, Pruthvi alias Bhumi (27), her alleged lover Nilesh Kachhatiya (36), and Nilesh’s associate Balveer Verma (41). Investigators believe the trio murdered Mavadiya and buried his body inside the rented factory.A case has been registered at Panch B Division police station for murder, criminal conspiracy and causing disappearance of evidence, based on a complaint from Jignesh’s brother, Ashok Mavadiya (50).According to police, Jignesh and Bhumi married seven years ago after a romantic relationship. The couple initially lived in Dwarka, later moved to Ranavav in Porbandar district, and eventually settled in Jamnagar. They have two daughters aged six years and one-and-a-half years.Ashok said he was in regular contact with his brother for about a year after Jignesh shifted to Jamnagar three years ago. Thereafter, communication suddenly stopped.Whenever family members inquired about Jignesh, Bhumi gave evasive explanations before eventually saying he had gone to Australia for work and was not allowed to use a mobile phone at his workplace.The family’s suspicions intensified recently when Jignesh’s cousin, Deepak, told Bhumi he was travelling to Australia and requested Jignesh’s contact details. According to investigators, she failed to arrange communication between the two.Police said Deepak then warned Bhumi that the family would approach the authorities and file a missing person’s complaint.Investigators said Bhumi then met Ashok at his in-laws’ residence, accompanied by Nilesh. At the meeting, she allegedly told family members to stop searching for Jignesh, saying he had been killed two years earlier and that his last rites had been performed.Ashok lodged a missing person’s complaint at Jamnagar City B Division police station on July 26.During the investigation, police discovered that Jignesh had attended a liquor party at a factory in the Dared GIDC area on May 31, 2024.Investigators suspect cyanide was mixed with his alcohol as part of a conspiracy. After his death, the accused allegedly dug the pit in the factory and buried the body.Human skeletal remains were recovered during Wednesday’s excavation. The Forensic Science Laboratory has been called in, and DNA profiling is under way to establish the identity of the remains.Investigating officer Viren Rathod said Verma, who is from Uttar Pradesh, was working in Jamnagar as a labourer.Police said Nilesh had previously worked in Dwarka, where he met Bhumi, and the two allegedly developed a relationship.During preliminary inquiries, Bhumi allegedly told investigators that persistent marital disputes had left her frustrated and that she sought Nilesh’s help to eliminate Jignesh. Police say Nilesh subsequently enlisted Verma in the conspiracy.Investigators are now examining how the accused allegedly procured cyanide, if Nilesh provided financial support to Bhumi after the alleged murder, and whether any additional persons were involved. Investigators will also examine other aspects, including the paternity of Bhumi’s younger daughter.
