A shocking incident of love affair violence unfolded in Ranchi on Friday, resulting in a young woman fighting for her life and her alleged assailant dead by suicide. The tragic sequence of events has sent shockwaves through the community and highlights the grim reality of relationship-related crimes.
The Fateful Morning Attack
The victim, identified as Payal Kumari (29), a teacher at Raj Convent School, was on her way to work around 8:30 am when the attack occurred. According to police, the accused, Sunil Kewat (35), intercepted her near the KDH ground and shot her twice. The bullets struck her in the neck and hand, leaving her critically wounded.
Following the shooting, Kewat fled the scene and went to his brother's residence at the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) quarter, where he used to stay. There, he turned the gun on himself, ending his own life.
Motivation Revealed in Chilling Video
In a disturbing twist, Sunil Kewat recorded a video before taking his own life, which has become a key piece of evidence for the Khalari police. In the recording, Kewat stated that he had been in a relationship with Payal Kumari for the past six months.
He allegedly revealed the motive for his violent act, claiming that he shot Payal because her parents were planning to marry her off to someone else. Kewat, who was unemployed, suggested this was the primary reason her family opposed their relationship.
Investigation and Aftermath
After the shooting, Payal Kumari was rushed to the CCL hospital in Dakra. Given the severity of her injuries, she was immediately referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (Rims) in Ranchi, where she remains in critical condition under treatment.
Jaideep Toppo, the officer in-charge of the Khalari police station, provided details on the ongoing investigation. "Our officer is at Rims, where the woman is under treatment. We would try to record her statement in the case," Toppo said. He confirmed that a case would be registered under attempt to murder charges, with the accused person stated as dead in the First Information Report (FIR).
This tragic incident adds to a disturbing statistic in Jharkhand. According to the National Crime Record Bureau's 2023 report, 25 persons were killed in cases related to love affairs in the state last year, underscoring a persistent social issue.
