Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, September 3, 2025 – A chilling case has rocked Mainpuri, where a 26-year-old man, Arun Rajpoot, has been arrested for murdering his 52-year-old lover, Rani, whom he met through Instagram. The tragic end to their online romance came after disputes over marriage, financial transactions, and the shocking revelation of her true age.
The relationship began on Instagram about a year and a half ago. Rani, a mother of four from Farrukhabad, used photo filters to appear much younger, hiding the significant age gap between her and Arun. What started as casual chats grew into a romantic connection, and the two eventually exchanged phone numbers. But when they met in person at a hotel in Farrukhabad two months ago, Arun was stunned to learn Rani was 52, far older than he had assumed.
Despite the shock, Arun continued the relationship, reportedly borrowing between Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh from Rani over time. Tensions arose when she began pressing him to marry her and demanded repayment of the money. Feeling cornered, Arun grew increasingly frustrated, according to police reports.
On August 10, Arun lured Rani to a secluded spot near Kharpari Bamba in the Kotwali police station area of Mainpuri. An argument erupted over her demands for marriage and the money he owed. In a fit of rage, Arun allegedly strangled her with her own dupatta and fled, leaving her body in a field. To cover his tracks, he removed the SIM card from her mobile phone and took it with him, making it harder for police to trace the crime initially.
The body was found the next day, but with no identification, it was labeled a “blind murder” case. Police circulated photos across districts, and on August 30, Rani’s family, who had filed a missing-person report in Farrukhabad, recognized her. Using call records, investigators traced Arun, who confessed during interrogation, admitting that the pressure to marry and repay the loan, combined with her age deception, drove him to kill. Police have filed a case under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which covers murder. Further efforts to gather more proofs, such as digital footprints and witness statements, are continuing as part of the probe.
This tragedy has sparked conversations about the dangers of online relationships. Social media filters can create false impressions, and in small towns like Mainpuri, where traditional values dominate, such relationships can lead to conflict. Experts warn that online interactions need caution, especially when meeting in person.
Police recovered two of Rani’s mobile phones from Arun, though the missing SIM card complicated early efforts to crack the case. This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark warning about the risks of digital deception. As Mainpuri and Farrukhabad grapple with the loss, the case underscores the need for honesty and caution in online relationships, where appearances can hide deadly truths.
