All the accused had been looking for an opportunity to get rid of Sapna. (Express photo)Dhanlaxmi Ghanji, the 65-year-old woman accused of murdering her 35-year-old daughter-in-law Sapna with the help of their maid, had allegedly hatched the plan when she found out that she was returning from Dubai to India without her husband.Dhanlaxmi, police said, had not been able to get over the fact that Sapna had filed a domestic violence complaint against the in-laws and often suspected her of having an extramarital affair and consuming alcohol.Sapna was allegedly murdered at her Ghatkopar residence on Sunday at the behest of her mother-in-law, who paid Rs 3 lakh to a former maid and her family to carry out the crime. A total of five persons have been arrested.Sapna had left for Dubai with her husband and son earlier this year. Dhanlaxmi, the police said, started to hatch a plan when she learnt that she was coming to India alone. It was then that she contacted her former maid and got her involved in her plan.“When she learnt that her son and Sapna’s husband Pramod was not accompanying her from Dubai, she had begun thinking of getting rid of her and got her former maid involved in the crime,” Pant Nagar senior police inspector Lata Sutar said.All the accused had been looking for an opportunity to get rid of Sapna. On Sunday, the maid found Sapna under the influence of alcohol and alerted others.“Mangala Jadhav [the maid] then tipped off others that since Sapna was intoxicated, it would be easier to get rid of her. Accordingly, others, including Dhanlaxmi, Mangala’s family members including her husband, daughter and son stealthily entered the house and murdered Sapna,” the officer said.Story continues below this adOn Monday night, Sapna’s parents received a call that she had fallen in the bathroom. She was declared dead at the hospital. The case came to light when the police found black and blue marks around Sapna’s neck and blood on the left side of her head, raising suspicion.During interrogation, Dhanlaxmi allegedly told them that she had pushed Sapna during a fight. However, based on the nature of the injuries, the police found that her head had been banged on a hard surface, contradicting her earlier claims.Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram