UP businessman’s wife found dead with throat slit; traders shut market in protest

SAHARANPUR: A woman was found dead with throat slit at her residence in Uttar Pradesh's Ambehta town on Monday, with police suspecting that the assailants entered the house with the intention of committing theft.

The victim was identified as Poonam Mittal, 56.

The incident came to light around 4 pm when her husband, Sanjay Mittal, returned home from his shop in the town's main market after being unable to contact her despite making several calls.

On reaching home, he found Poonam lying on a bed in a pool of blood. Police said household belongings were found scattered across the house, while items kept in an almirah had been strewn around the room.

"Trader Sanjay Mittal and his wife Poonam lived together. Their son and daughter-in-law run a business in Muzaffarnagar," Station House Officer (SHO) Devesh Kumar Sharma told media.

Police believe the assailants may have entered the house with the intention of theft and killed the woman after she could have identified them.

"It is suspected that the assailants entered the house with the intention of theft and killed the woman to avoid getting identified," he said.

A police team from Nakur police station, along with forensic experts, reached the spot and began an investigation. Officers are examining CCTV footage from nearby locations and questioning local residents to gather clues.

The killing sparked anger among traders in the town, who gathered at the victim's residence and demanded swift action against those responsible. Many shopkeepers also shut their establishments in protest and called for the immediate arrest of the accused.