The Chilling Case of Vishal Singhal: Greed and Crime in Meerut

The city of Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh has recently found itself at the heart of a dramatic case involving multiple murders linked to a massive insurance fraud scheme. Vishal Singhal, motivated by greed for over ₹100 crore in life insurance payouts, has been implicated in the chilling deaths of his mother, wife, and father, with a fourth wife also targeted. This unsettling incident not only exposes the depths of human greed but also raises serious questions about police investigations.

A Shift in Fortune: From Modest Beginnings to Lavish Living

Vishal’s family initially led a humble existence. His father, Mukesh Singhal, operated a modest photo studio in Meerut, making around ₹25,000 a month. However, a dramatic transformation began between 2018 and 2023 when Mukesh took out a staggering 64 life insurance policies, amounting to over ₹50 crore in coverage. During this period, the family suddenly acquired luxury cars such as the Toyota Legender, Nissan Magnite, and Brezza—purchases that were primarily financed through loans based on expected insurance claims. These conspicuous displays of wealth caught the attention of insurance companies, prompting deeper investigations into the family’s financial activities.

The First Tragedy: Mother’s Unexpected Death

The first ominous event occurred on June 22, 2017, when Prabha Devi, Vishal’s mother, died in what was presented as a road accident in Hapur. According to Vishal, he was riding with her when an unidentified vehicle struck them. He walked away with minor injuries while his mother succumbed instantly. Local police quickly labeled the incident a routine accident, thus allowing Vishal to claim ₹25 lakh in insurance. However, evidence later suggested that this was a premeditated act of murder.

A Pattern of Death: The Wife’s Untimely Demise

In 2022, the fatal narrative continued with the sudden illness and subsequent death of Vishal’s first wife, Ekta Singhal. Exhibiting severe symptoms, she died after a week in a prominent Meerut hospital. Vishal seized the opportunity to claim ₹80 lakh in insurance, attributing her death to natural causes. Investigations years later revealed that the manner of her death was far from innocent, hinting at a meticulously plotted scheme.

Unraveling the Murky Waters: The Death of Vishal’s Father

On April 1, 2025, Vishal admitted his father, Mukesh, to a private hospital, where, alarmingly, he would be dead by the next day. Vishal claimed that severe head injuries from a road accident led to his father’s demise; however, it was later discovered that Mukesh had actually died from suffocation. At this point, Vishal had already initiated claims for the first two insurance policies worth ₹50 lakh and was aggressively pursuing additional claims from the remainder of the policies.

The Turning Point: Fourth Wife Takes a Stand

The case escalated when Vishal married his fourth wife in February 2024. Upon uncovering his disturbing past, including prior marriages and a series of suspicious deaths, she became alarmed. When Vishal suggested that his father was near death and encouraged her to facilitate it, she refused. This refusal resulted in violence, with Vishal reportedly attempting to injure her severely.

Determined to seek justice, she reached out to her parents for assistance and even wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, asking for intervention. Initially dismissed by the Meerut SSP as a mere domestic issue, her unwavering persistence caught the attention of authorities, including Sambhal ASP Anukriti Sharma.

A Breakthrough in the Investigation

Once ASP Sharma took charge of the case, the intricate cover-up began to disintegrate. By meticulously examining hospital records, death certificates, and insurance claims, she unveiled the conspiracy behind the tragic deaths. In a dramatic turn of events, Vishal confessed his involvement in the murders of his mother, wife, and father, detailing his methods of suffocation and blunt force trauma.

Additionally, his accomplice, Satish Kumar, a tailor from Meerut, was apprehended for facilitating Vishal’s scheme. Both men now face serious charges of murder, conspiracy, and large-scale insurance fraud.

A Spotlight on Police Negligence

This case does not merely spotlight Vishal’s egregious greed; it reflects a troubling image of negligence within local police departments. Numerous complaints from Vishal’s fourth wife and detailed reports from eight insurance companies were largely ignored. Warnings issued for reinvestigation were brushed aside, raising urgent questions about the system’s accountability and effectiveness in addressing serious criminal activity.

The Meerut insurance scandal serves as a stark illustration of how unchecked ambition can lead to heinous acts. It also highlights the critical need for thorough and vigilant policing in instances where lives are at stake—before more tragic events unfold.