Woman autorickshaw driver shot dead in UP's Jhansi; lover held after encounter

Jhansi (UP), Jan 10 (PTI) Days after a woman autorickshaw driver was found dead here, police have arrested her lover with the post-mortem report revealing that she was shot dead, officials said on Saturday.

Anita Chaudhary (35) was found dead on Monday after her vehicle overturned on Station Road in Jhansi. However, her husband, Dwarka Chaudhary, filed a complaint against three people, accusing them of murder.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jhansi, BBGTS Murthy, on Monday, had said that at around 2:30 am (intervening night of Sunday and Monday), the control room received information about an autorickshaw overturning and the death of its driver after being crushed under the vehicle.

Following an investigation based on a complaint filed by the deceased's husband, the accused were identified as Mukesh Jha (37), his son, Shivam (18) and his brother-in-law, Manoj (35).

The SSP said the main accused, Mukesh Jha, was in contact with the deceased for the last 6-7 years, and there was a dispute between them of late.

On Monday evening, police arrested Shivam and Manoj, who were later sent to jail. Police announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for information regarding the whereabouts of the main accused, Mukesh Jha, who was on the run.

On Friday night, based on a tip-off, the police attempted to arrest Mukesh, who was trying to escape and opened fire at the police. In the retaliatory firing, Mukesh was shot in the right leg and was subsequently arrested and sent to the medical college for treatment.

During questioning, the accused confessed that he killed Anita because he felt betrayed in love. The police are conducting a detailed investigation into the matter, Superintendent of Police (City) Preeti Singh said. PTI COR NAV SMV HIG