Roadside Shooting Leaves Woman Dead; Delhi Police Constable Faces Murder Charge
Constable arrested after wife's fatal roadside shooting.
A Delhi Police constable allegedly shot his wife dead following an argument in East Delhi's Kalyanpuri area on Monday before fleeing the scene, police said. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, has sent shockwaves through the city due to the involvement of a serving police personnel. Authorities have launched an investigation and are searching for the accused, who remains absconding. According to preliminary information, the accused has been identified as Manish Bhati, a Delhi Police constable recently posted with the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) in East Delhi.
Police said Bhati and his 26-year-old wife, Priyanka, were travelling on a scooter when they reportedly became involved in a heated argument. During the altercation, Bhati allegedly stopped the scooter on the roadside, and both got off while continuing their dispute. Eyewitnesses told police that the argument escalated moments later, following which the constable allegedly opened fire on his wife. After the shooting, he is alleged to have fled the spot, leaving Priyanka critically injured on the road. The incident was noticed by a passerby, identified as a delivery executive, who immediately rushed the woman to Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital in East Delhi in an attempt to save her life.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Priyanka succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Police said she worked as a teacher. The incident took place on her birthday, adding to the tragedy for her family and relatives. Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination as investigators continue to gather evidence related to the case. Police teams have since launched a search operation to trace the accused constable. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the nature of the dispute between the couple.
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Officers are also collecting statements from eyewitnesses, reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and carrying out forensic examinations at the crime scene to reconstruct the sequence of events. The case has raised serious concerns because it involves a serving member of the police force. Senior officials are expected to examine whether departmental action will also be initiated in addition to the criminal investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the weapon allegedly used in the incident was an official service firearm or a privately owned weapon.
Police have registered a case and said further investigation is underway. The motive behind the alleged crime is yet to be established, and officials have urged the public not to speculate until the investigation is completed. The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of domestic violence and the importance of timely intervention in escalating domestic disputes, even as investigators work to apprehend the accused and determine the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
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