A Delhi Police constable allegedly killed his wife — hours after her birthday — in East Delhi’s Kalyanpuri area on Monday, police sources said.
Manish then made his wife get off near one of the pillars of the metro station.
The spot under the Mayur Vihar metro station where the murder took place.
(Express Photo) The spot under the Mayur Vihar metro station where the murder took place.
The next thing I hear is that she was found dead near the Metro station,” he cried.
A Delhi Police constable allegedly killed his wife — hours after her birthday — in East Delhi’s Kalyanpuri area on Monday, police sources said.
According to police, Manish Bhati, 32, posted with the Anti-Auto Theft squad unit of the Delhi Police’s East district, allegedly shot his wife Priyanka, 34, around 3 am in the middle of a road, under the Mayur Vihar metro station — 300 metres from the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital — and then fled the scene.
Priyanka’s family has alleged dowry harassment and domestic violence by the constable and his family.
Police said the couple had been married for three years and lived in East Vinod Nagar. Priyanka was a school teacher.
CCTV footage, as per sources, showed that the couple had left their house on a scooter about 2 am but got into an argument. Manish then made his wife get off near one of the pillars of the metro station.
“They started arguing, with the woman visibly animated. He then pulled out a gun and shot her before fleeing,” said a senior police officer.
Priyanka was discovered by a passing auto driver, lying in a pool of blood. As per police, he took her to LBS hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
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The victim, Priyanka (24). (Express Photo) The victim, Priyanka (24). (Express Photo)
Police said they are looking for Manish, who was seen heading back towards his house, with multiple teams set up to find him as CCTV footage along the route of his scooter is being tracked.
“Initial questioning of neighbours revealed that the couple used to get into frequent arguments. Even on Sunday night, neighbours claimed they overheard an argument. We are now questioning the family members to get a detailed history of the issues the two had,” said a senior police officer.
‘They got married in 2023, then dowry demands started’
Gali number 2 in East Vinod Nagar is middle-class locality, with buildings stacked close on both sides of a 10-foot wide lane. One of them, a four-floor building, belongs to the Bhati family. Manish and Priyanka lived on the second floor, while his elder brother and his wife occupied the floor above.
Priyanka hailed from Saleempur area in Greater Noida. Bhati’s family was from a nearby village.
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Her family members said the couple met in 2023; they had an arranged marriage. “He was in the police force, and my sister wanted to be a teacher. Their family was okay with it, but they asked for dowry, which we agreed to,” said Nitin Basoya, Priyanka’s elder brother, who is a constable in the Uttar Pradesh police.
“Things were fine at first. Priyanka got a job as a teacher at Prudence School in 2024. After that, her mother-in-law demanded that she hand over her salary. They then started taunting her about the dowry amount. Manish even raised his hand at her,” alleged Nitin as he waited near the mortuary of the LBS Hospital.
In the middle of 2024, Nitin claimed Priyanka came back to the family home in Greater Noida as her husband and his family were constantly pestering her over dowry.
The spot under the Mayur Vihar metro station where the murder took place. (Express Photo) The spot under the Mayur Vihar metro station where the murder took place. (Express Photo)
Eight months later, he claimed, a settlement was reached: Manish promised to not bring up the issue again and to never show violence towards his wife.
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“They began living together. But Priyanka complained of the same behaviour every now and then,” he added.
Nitin said he last spoke to his sister on Sunday evening, when he called to wish her on her birthday.
“It was her birthday so we all spoke to her. The next thing I hear is that she was found dead near the Metro station,” he cried.
