Surat Man Fakes His Own Death, Murders Friend for ₹2 Lakh Insurance Payout

What initially appeared to be a tragic road accident on the Saniya-Khambhasala Road on July 14 turned out to be a meticulously planned murder. The body, believed to be that of Shivkumar alias Maharaj Ramnarayan Mishra, was later identified as Deviprasad Pal — Mishra's friend of 10 years.

According to police, Mishra killed Pal, dressed the body in his own clothes, and placed his phone on it to mislead investigators. He then crushed Pal’s skull under the tyres of a truck, attempting to make the face unrecognizable and stage the scene as a hit-and-run.

Initially registered as an accidental death by Sachin police, the case took a turn after CCTV footage from a nearby Swaminarayan temple showed no vehicles or pedestrians in the vicinity at the time of the supposed accident. Investigators also received a tip that the victim had recently been seen in Vadod with another man on a moped.

When police visited Mishra’s residence, his wife, Meenadevi Mishra (35), showed a lack of remorse and instead inquired about the insurance money, raising further suspicion. This led authorities to track Mishra’s mobile SIM cards, which revealed a location near Sarvottam Hotel on the Kadodara-Bardoli Road — where Mishra was last seen transporting a man on his moped.

Another missing SIM from Mishra’s phone was traced to Pune, leading police to uncover that Mishra was alive and staying with an acquaintance named Monu. Both Mishra and Monu were brought back to Surat for questioning, during which Mishra confessed to the murder.

He admitted he was under heavy debt and unable to pay the instalments on a newly purchased truck. In a desperate move to escape his financial troubles, he targeted Pal — who lived alone — and plotted the murder to claim the insurance money.

Police have arrested Mishra, his wife Meenadevi, and friend Monu. All three are currently in custody under police remand until July 25.