Delhi constable shoots wife dead hours after her birthday; family alleges dowry harassment

NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police constable allegedly stopped his scooter on a road in east Delhi, pulled out his service pistol and shot his wife dead following a heated argument early on Monday.

The deceased, Priyanka Bhati, a computer science teacher at a private school, and husband Manish (32), lived at East Vinod Nagar.The incident took place at around 3am on a road near a Metro pillar in Kalyanpuri, close to LBS Hospital, hours after her 34th birthday. Her family alleged that she had been subjected to harassment over dowry demands. Police said Manish has been absconding since the incident, and multiple teams are conducting raids in Haryana and other places.According to police, the couple left their home after an argument and were reportedly heading to LBS Hospital. Priyanka’s relatives alleged that she had sustained a head injury before the shooting and suspect that a physical altercation may have taken place at home during which she may have been injured.On CCTV: Couple seen arguing before shootingWe suspect he took her out on the pretext of getting her treated. We cannot say for certain, but we believe this may have happened,” a family member said.

“Neighbours claimed he was taking her there for treatment. We are verifying their statements,” police said.Within minutes of leaving, they stopped by the roadside after another altercation. Investigators suspect that Manish then shot Priyanka in the chest with his service pistol before fleeing with her mobile phone. He had left his phone at home.Police sources said CCTV footage recovered from the area captured the couple arguing moments before the shooting.

The constable opened fire around 3.02am and fled. CCTV footage later captured the constable heading back towards his house after the shooting. A pizza delivery executive took Priyanka to a hospital in an autorickshaw with the help of other passersby. In a video recorded before she was shifted to hospital, she appeared to be trying to speak, while another person at the spot could be heard asking for water. “People told me that someone had thrown her there. We thought of giving her water, but her condition was deteriorating.

There was no time to waste, so we immediately took her to the hospital,” the delivery executive said. He added that the area was poorly lit, making it difficult to assess her injuries.Investigators said Manish joined Delhi Police in 2022 and was initially posted with special cell before being transferred to antiauto theft squad of east district last year. A case of murder has been registered, and a magisterial inquiry has been initiated as the couple had been married for less than seven years. DCP (east) Rajiv Kumar said five teams have been formed in this regard.