Man shoots wife dead inside police station in Hardoi; arrested, 2 cops suspended | Lucknow News
LUCKNOW: A 38-year-old man shot his wife dead inside a police station in Hardoi district on Monday morning. The killing took place in full view of police personnel at Pali police station, located about 50 km from the district headquarters.The victim, identified as Soni (30), had allegedly eloped with her lover five days ago. Following a complaint lodged by her husband, Anoop, police traced her and recovered her along with the alleged lover on Sunday. Both were brought to the police station, and Anoop was informed over the phone. He reached the station on Sunday evening, met his wife briefly and then returned home.
According to police, Soni was scheduled to undergo a medical examination on Monday as part of the recovery procedure. At around 10:45 am, after having food at the police station mess, she stepped outside and was speaking with her maternal uncle and a few relatives. At that moment, Anoop arrived at the police station premises carrying a country-made pistol hidden at his waist.Without any warning, he pulled out the weapon and fired at Soni from close range. The bullet struck her right shoulder, pierced through her chest and exited from the other side, causing her to collapse on the spot in a pool of blood. Police personnel present nearby were momentarily stunned before rushing towards the scene. As Anoop attempted to flee, he was chased and overpowered within the station premises.Soni was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries shortly afterwards. Her body was sent for post-mortem examination, while the crime scene inside the police station was sealed for forensic inspection.Superintendent of Police, Hardoi, Ashok Meena, reached the police station soon after the incident. Taking a stern view of the glaring security lapse, he ordered the immediate suspension of the investigating officer, sub-inspector Vikrant, and woman constable Sanjana Rajput for negligence in duty. SP also directed that a departmental inquiry be initiated. The investigation into the murder has been handed over to the Additional Superintendent of Police (West).Preliminary investigation revealed that Soni had been married to Anoop for nearly 17 years and the couple had a 12-year-old son. Anoop told police that about four years ago he moved to Gurugram with his wife after securing a job with a private company. During this period, Soni allegedly developed a relationship with Surjeet, a resident of Shahjahanpur, who frequently visited their home. Even after Anoop brought his wife back to their native village about a year ago and began working as a daily-wage labourer, her alleged relationship with the man continued.In his confession, Anoop stated that Soni had left home with her lover on January 7, prompting him to lodge a complaint at the police station the next day. He said police informed him on Sunday evening that his wife had been recovered. “I met her at the police station and returned home, but I could not sleep the entire night. Around 4 am, I decided to kill her,” he reportedly told investigators. On Monday morning, when he was called to the police station again, he carried the country-made pistol and executed his plan.A case of murder has been registered against Anoop, and he remains in police custody. Senior officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain how the accused managed to enter the police station with a firearm and why adequate security arrangements were not in place to prevent such an incident.
