According to police, the 24-year-old woman from Auraiya had travelled to Agra for a court hearing when Singh invited her on the pretext of discussing a settlement.

The murder has triggered strong political reactions, with opposition leaders slamming the ruling government for the deteriorating law and order situation.

As Bihar gears up for the second phase of a high-voltage Assembly election, political forces on both sides of the aisle are putting up a show of unity. But in some seats, the complex arithmetic of coalition politics is playing out