A complaint of murder was lodged with the Nikol police on Friday after a 25-year-old woman was murdered by her husband and the body was dumped in a water tank.

The deceased has been identified as Shivani Pawar, who was a resident of Keval Park Society in Nikol. The incident took place on Friday morning at around 8 am. The complaint was lodged by Majula Tomar, 50, a neighbour of the victim.

She stated in her complaint that from the past two-one-and-a-half years, Shivani and her husband, Virpal Pawar, were living separately. On Friday, Majula heard Shivani screaming and rushed outside. She saw Virpal beating Shivani with a stick and dragging her inside and locking the door.

By the time people gathered outside the house and within a couple of minutes, Virpal opened the door and fled from the spot with the stick.

According to police, when the neighbours saw blood stains leading to the water tank they saw Shivani's body inside the water tank covered in blood.

Nikol police were informed and soon a team reached the spot to investigate. The body was sent for an autopsy. Primary investigation revealed that the victim sustained head injuries.

HB Zala, an inspector of Nikol police station, said, "We came to know that the couple was having a dispute and have been living separately for the last one-and-a-half year. What triggered the accused to kill his wife will be revealed once we catch him."