In a significant development in a high-profile case, Uttar Pradesh Police constable Ashtabhuja Kumar Yadav, the prime accused in the murder of his wife and fellow police officer Saroj Yadav, finally surrendered before a court in Gorakhpur on Saturday. This move came after he had successfully evaded arrest for nearly three months following the registration of a murder case against him.
From Natural Death to Murder: The Case Takes a Serious Turn
The case, which initially seemed like a tragic but natural death, transformed into a chilling tale of alleged homicide. Saroj Yadav, a woman head constable with the CID in Gorakhpur, died under mysterious circumstances on February 27. Initially, her death was termed as natural. However, the investigation took a dramatic and serious turn when the post-mortem examination failed to pinpoint a clear cause of death.
To unravel the mystery, her viscera samples were sent to a forensic laboratory for detailed analysis. The lab report confirmed the presence of aluminium phosphide, a highly lethal pesticide commonly used as a fumigant. This critical finding led authorities to reclassify the case from an unexplained death to a outright murder. Based on the forensic evidence, the Shahpur police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Ashtabhuja Kumar Yadav and his parents in September.
Allegations of Infidelity and Financial Motive
The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Saroj's father, Harilal Yadav, a retired government employee. In his complaint, Harilal alleged that his son-in-law, Ashtabhuja, was involved in an illicit relationship with another woman constable who was previously posted in Khalilabad. This alleged affair was presented as a potential motive behind the crime.
Harilal revealed that Saroj and Ashtabhuja were married on December 11, 2013. The couple had two young children—a nine-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. While Saroj was posted as a chief constable in the CID's Gorakhpur unit, Ashtabhuja worked as a chief constable and gunner based in Lucknow. The family had financial dealings that are now under scrutiny, including a Rs 50-lakh HDFC term insurance plan and several loans.
Surrender and Ongoing Investigation
Station House Officer (SHO) Neeraj Rai confirmed that Ashtabhuja Kumar Yadav surrendered in court. The police are now preparing to seek his remand for a detailed interrogation to uncover the complete sequence of events and establish the motive conclusively. SHO Rai also indicated that the substantial insurance policy is a suspected motive being investigated in the murder.
The surrender marks a crucial step in a case that has shocked the police community in Uttar Pradesh. It brings the primary accused into custody after a prolonged period of evasion, allowing the legal process to move forward. The investigation will now focus on gathering further evidence, interrogating the accused, and examining the roles of other individuals named in the FIR to deliver justice for Saroj Yadav.
