In a shocking incident that exposes glaring security lapses, a 38-year-old man shot his wife dead inside a police station in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district on Monday morning. The brazen killing occurred in full view of police personnel at the Pali police station, located about 50 km from the district headquarters.
The Fatal Morning at Pali Police Station
The victim, identified as Soni (30), was at the police station after having been recovered by police a day earlier. She had allegedly eloped with her lover five days prior, prompting her husband, Anoop, to file a complaint. Police traced and recovered Soni along with the alleged lover on Sunday. Both were brought to the police station, and Anoop was informed. He met his wife briefly on Sunday evening before returning home.
On Monday, Soni was scheduled for a medical examination 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 other relatives. It was at this moment that Anoop arrived at the premises.
A Premeditated Attack and Immediate Aftermath
Anoop was 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. She collapsed on the spot in a pool of blood.
The police personnel present were momentarily stunned before rushing to the scene. As Anoop attempted to flee, he was chased and overpowered within the station premises. Soni was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly afterwards. Her body was sent for post-mortem, and the crime scene was sealed for forensic inspection.
Suspensions and Investigation into Security Lapse
Superintendent of Police, Hardoi, Ashok Meena, reached the police station soon after the incident. Taking a stern view of the security failure, he ordered the immediate suspension of the investigating officer, sub-inspector Vikrant, and woman constable Sanjana Rajput for negligence. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated.
The murder investigation has been handed over to the Additional Superintendent of Police (West). Senior officials stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain how the accused managed to enter the police station with a firearm and why adequate security was not in place.
A Troubled Marriage and a Deadly Plan
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, they moved to Gurugram after he secured a private job. During this period, Soni allegedly developed a relationship with Surjeet, a resident of Shahjahanpur. This relationship allegedly continued even after the couple returned to their native village about a year ago.
In his confession, Anoop stated that Soni left home with her lover on January 7. He filed a complaint the next day. After police informed him of her recovery on Sunday evening, he met her at the station. “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. When called to the station again on Monday, he carried the pistol and executed his plan.
A case of murder has been registered against Anoop, who remains in police custody. The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols within police stations in the state.
