"Drishyam-style Murder: Gym Trainer Vimal Soni Arrested After Four Months on the Run"
In a shocking turn of events reminiscent of the Bollywood thriller Drishyam, Vimal Soni, a 35-year-old gym trainer, was arrested on October 28, 2024, for the murder of his client, Ekta Gupta, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. After evading law enforcement for nearly four months, Soni’s downfall came when he attempted to contact his family, ultimately leading to the exhumation of Gupta’s body from a concealed site near the District Magistrate’s residence.
The Relationship and Motive
Ekta Gupta, a 32-year-old businesswoman, had been training at Kanpur’s Green Park gym since March 2023. Gupta and Soni developed a close relationship, which took a dark turn as Soni’s family began arranging his marriage. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shravan Kumar Singh, tensions rose when Gupta became upset over Soni’s impending marriage.
“On the day of the crime, she came to the gym after 20 days. A conversation turned into an argument, and in a moment of rage, Soni punched her,” Singh explained, adding that Gupta subsequently fainted and died from the blow.
The Events Leading to the Murder
On June 24, 2024, after an argument escalated in Soni’s car, he admitted to killing her in a panic. Inspired by the plot of Drishyam, where the main character hides a body in a police station under construction, Soni chose to dispose of Gupta’s body within the Officer’s Club compound, a strategy he believed would shield him from the police.
"He planned to bury the body in such a high-profile area, thinking it unlikely the police would search there," Singh noted.
The Concealment of the Body
Soni meticulously executed his concealment plan. He parked his car discreetly at the DM’s compound under the cover of night. Using a shovel, he dug a pit approximately five feet deep and two-and-a-half feet wide, where he buried Gupta’s body. Following this, Soni attempted to destroy any evidence, breaking both his and Gupta’s phones to evade police tracking.
Aftermath: Guilt and Escape
Overcome with guilt after the murder, Soni reportedly attempted suicide immediately after disposing of Gupta’s body. “I was scared. I went straight to Ganga Barrage, tried to commit suicide twice,” Soni confessed, but ultimately decided against it and fled Kanpur, avoiding all forms of communication to elude capture.
Police launched an extensive manhunt, tracing Soni across multiple states—Delhi, Pune, Agra, Gwalior, and Punjab—while working closely with his family to close in on his location.
The Arrest and Exhumation
After months of evasion, Soni broke his silence by attempting to reconnect with his family, leading police officials to his whereabouts. Upon his arrest, he initially claimed the body was disposed of in the Ganga but later admitted to burying it in the Officer’s Club premises.
Subsequent forensic investigations, led by Joint Commissioner of Police Harish Chander, culminated in the exhumation of Gupta’s body. The location’s prominence gave insight into Soni’s thought process and the influence of the film Drishyam on his decision-making.
Reflecting on the Impact
This tragedy has raised questions about the psychological effects of media narratives on real-life actions. As society grapples with understanding the fine line between fiction and reality, many are left pondering how such content can intertwine with crime.
"This case highlights not only the capabilities of our investigative bodies but the alarming way fictional narratives can inspire real-world actions," remarked a criminal psychology expert.
As investigations continue, the case will likely expand into discussions about better monitoring vulnerable relationships and the importance of mental health resources amid personal crises.
What are your thoughts on the influence of media on individual behavior? Feel free to share your comments below or discuss this horrifying case with your peers. Your insights could contribute to a broader conversation about the societal impacts of crime narratives.
