In Akola, tragedy struck as a 26-year-old tattoo artist from Delhi, Shantikriya Kashyap, was discovered dead early Wednesday in Murtizapur. She had sustained multiple head injuries, likely caused by a sharp weapon. Authorities suspect her live-in partner, Kunal alias Sunny Shringare, who is currently evading capture.
Originally from an underprivileged family in Assam, Shantikriya, also known as Koel, had relocated to Delhi six years ago with her mother. She had established herself in the tattoo art community and adopted a North Indian name during her time there, according to police sources.
Shantikriya met Sunny, a resident of Digras in Yavatmal district, through social media, leading to a relationship that developed over several months. Sunny, who is unemployed, persuaded Shantikriya to move to Akola, promising her employment, but their plans faltered when a bar owner declined to hire her.
Initially settling in Murtizapur on July 21, the couple moved into a rented accommodation in Pratik Nagar. Despite efforts to start anew, tensions arose due to Sunny’s alleged alcohol addiction, resulting in frequent arguments. On Tuesday night, their dispute escalated, culminating in a fatal attack by Sunny on Shantikriya with a sharp weapon, according to police reports.
Since the incident, Sunny has been on the run, while police have mobilized teams to locate him. The discovery of Shantikriya’s body was made by Sunny’s landlord, Shubham Mahajan, prompting a preliminary investigation and subsequent autopsy at Akola Government Hospital.
