Indian woman arrested over husband's murder accused of 'plot to replace him with her lover'

An Indian woman and her lover have been accused of killing her husband in an elaborate plot to have her boyfriend seek plastic surgery to take his place.

Swathi Reddy is accused of causing her husband Sudhakar Reddy's death on November 26, according to local media.

Reddy is then said to have smeared acid on her physiotherapist lover Rajesh Ajjakolu's face before claiming her husband had been attacked, the BBC reported.

Mr Reddy's family initially believed he had been hurt and agreed to pay for his hospital bills, however, they made a complaint to police accusing his wife of murder after noticing changes in the patient's behaviour.

Police carried out finger print tests to establish the man was actually Mr Ajjakolu on December 9.

He faces arrest on his release from hospital where he will undergo burns treatment and receive plastic surgery, police said.

Mr Reddy's body has not yet been recovered, the BBC reported.

Reddy admitted to the affair and said the pair killed her husband, police said.

According to reports, the pair were caught out together a few days before the murder, and fearing exposure they came up with the plan in the hope that Mr Ajjakolu could undergo plastic surgery to take Mr Reddy's place.