A shocking turn of events has unfolded in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, where what was initially presumed to be the suicide of a police officer has now been declared a murder, leading to the arrest of a woman constable.
From Presumed Suicide to Murder Investigation
The case revolves around the death of Arun Kumar Rai, the Station Officer (SO) of Kuthond police station. The incident occurred on Friday night at his official residence, where he was found dead from a gunshot wound from his service pistol. Initially, the circumstances pointed towards suicide.
However, the investigation took a dramatic U-turn following the application filed by the deceased officer's wife, Maya Rai. Her allegations prompted a deeper probe, which uncovered evidence contradicting the suicide theory.
Constable Arrested Based on Complaint and CCTV Footage
Based on Maya Rai's formal complaint, the police have booked and arrested woman constable Meenakshi Sharma under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder. Meenakshi, who hails from Meerut, was posted on Dial 112 patrolling duty in Kotch.
Key evidence cited by the authorities includes CCTV footage from the vicinity. The footage allegedly shows Meenakshi Sharma running out of the SO's residence shortly after the time of the gunshot. This visual evidence, coupled with the wife's statement claiming Meenakshi was inside the house during the incident, formed the crux of the case against the constable.
Official Action and Next Steps
Circle Officer (CO) of Jalaun, Shailendra Bajpayee, confirmed the arrest. Meenakshi Sharma was taken into custody on Sunday and subsequently presented before a magistrate for legal proceedings.
The case has sent ripples through the local police establishment, transforming a tragic incident of an officer's death into a complex homicide investigation. The police are now delving into the motive and the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting inside the official residence.
