Anita Chaudhary, the first female auto-rickshaw driver in Jhansi district and a familiar figure in the town, was brutally murdered in the early hours of January 5, police confirmed. Initially reported as an accident, the post-mortem revealed that she had been shot in the head, exposing the killing as a planned murder.
Jhansi SSP BBGTS Murthy said a case has been registered against three people. Mukesh Jha, Anita’s live-in partner, is alleged to have orchestrated the killing with the help of his son Shivam Jha and brother-in-law Manoj Jha. Shivam and Manoj have been arrested, while Mukesh remains at large, with a reward of Rs 25,000 announced for information leading to his capture.
The incident occurred near Station Road in the Nawabad police area, where Anita’s body was discovered around 2 am. Police investigations, supported by the victim’s husband Dildar Chaudhary, revealed that Mukesh had been pressuring Anita after she ended their seven-year relationship, prompting the fatal attack.
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According to Dildar Chaudhary, Anita initially met Mukesh while working at a glass factory, and their relationship developed over the years. After leaving her job to drive an auto-rickshaw, Anita faced repeated disputes with Mukesh, who disapproved of her profession and exerted pressure to reunite with her.
On the night of the murder, Mukesh, along with his son and brother-in-law, allegedly shot Anita while she was out driving her auto-rickshaw, and staged the scene to appear as an accident and robbery. The post-mortem examination confirmed the presence of a bullet lodged in her head, corroborating the allegations.
Anita Chaudhary leaves behind three children, including her eldest son Vicky, daughter Sakshi (18), and younger son Janu (16). Authorities have intensified the search for Mukesh Jha, urging the public to assist in his capture as investigations continue to uncover the full extent of the crime.
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