Greater Noida Call Centre Worker Strangled by Stalker Vegetable Vendor
A 25-year-old call centre employee met a tragic end in Greater Noida's Beta 1 area. Police confirmed that a vegetable vendor strangled her after stalking her for nearly a year. The victim, identified as Deepa, was returning from her night shift when the accused attacked her.
Police Arrest Accused After Gunfight
On Tuesday evening, police tracked down the accused, Ankit Kumar, to Dhakiya Wale Baba roundabout in Surajpur. Officers arrested him following a brief gunfight. Ankit sustained a leg injury from retaliatory police firing. Authorities rushed him to a government hospital for treatment.
Police recovered several crucial items from Ankit's possession. These included the victim's mobile phone, a country-made pistol, two live cartridges, and a stolen motorcycle. The recovery provided strong evidence linking him to the crime.
Discovery of the Body
On Monday, residents discovered Deepa's body under a grey Tiago car. The vehicle was parked outside a park in Beta 1's Block-E. Her brother reported that Deepa left home for work around 9:30 AM on Sunday. She never returned from her shift.
Police registered a murder case against unknown persons immediately after finding the body. Greater Noida additional DCP Sudhir Kumar stated that six special teams began investigating the case. These teams analyzed CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and local intelligence to identify the suspect.
Year-Long Stalking and Harassment
During their investigation, police uncovered disturbing details. Deepa had faced repeated harassment from Ankit Kumar. The vegetable vendor pressured her to enter into a relationship with him. Despite her clear refusals and attempts to distance herself, Ankit continued his pursuit.
His obsession grew stronger over time. Ankit allegedly knew Deepa's work schedule. He waited near her home on Sunday night, knowing she would return from her Sector 60 office around 11 PM.
The Fatal Confrontation
As Deepa walked toward her rented flat, Ankit stopped her. She lived in the flat with her younger brother. Police stated that Ankit tried to speak with her, but she refused and walked away. Enraged by this rejection, he strangled her just 200 meters from her home.
After killing Deepa, Ankit placed her body under a parked car near a park. He hoped police would mistake the death for a road accident. However, visible injury marks on her neck and head alerted investigators to foul play.
Police Investigation and Breakthrough
Police traced the parked car to a local resident. They analyzed CCTV footage from the area, which helped identify Ankit as the suspect. Acting on a tip-off about his movements, a police team attempted to intercept him on Tuesday evening.
Ankit was heading toward the Dhakiya Wale Baba roundabout on a motorcycle. When police tried to stop him, he allegedly opened fire. Officers retaliated in self-defense, leading to his arrest.
Legal Charges and Further Investigation
Police booked Ankit Kumar under multiple sections of the law. These include murder, attempt to kill police personnel, possession of illegal arms, and theft. Authorities are now verifying whether he has any prior criminal record. They are also checking for possible links to organized crime.
The case highlights the dangers of persistent stalking and harassment. It underscores the need for stronger protective measures for working women in urban areas.
