Hunt to nab Delhi Police constable who shot wife dead; dowry claim being probed

Delhi Police is intensifying its search for a constable accused of shooting his wife dead during an argument in east Delhi’s Vinod Nagar area. The incident occurred on Monday morning, according to authorities, when Manish Bhati, a 2022-batch constable serving with the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS), allegedly opened fire on his wife, Priyanka, during a dispute. She died from gunshot wounds sustained to her chest and was later pronounced dead at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. Five separate police teams are currently conducting raids across Delhi-NCR and Haryana in an effort to locate Bhati, who has been missing since the incident. According to a senior police official, these operations are taking place in areas including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, and several locations in Haryana. The official stated that technical surveillance and other investigative leads have provided crucial information about Bhati’s possible location, and he is expected to be apprehended soon. The couple reportedly left their home in New Vinod Nagar on a two-wheeler after an argument broke out. CCTV footage obtained by police allegedly captures the pair stopping on a road near Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, where the altercation escalated. At this point, Bhati is believed to have drawn his service weapon and fired at his wife before fleeing the scene. A passerby found Priyanka injured and called for medical help, leading to her transport to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Priyanka, a 30-year-old teacher at a private school in Ashok Vihar, had previously filed a complaint with the women’s cell regarding alleged dowry demands made by her husband and his family. Her family claims she faced ongoing harassment related to dowry issues since her marriage in 2023. These allegations are currently under investigation by police, who are verifying whether such claims hold merit. Manish Bhati, who joined the AATS last year, was described by his colleagues as a sharp-minded officer. His service weapon was used in the incident, raising concerns about the security of police equipment and the potential misuse of firearms by personnel. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage, electronic data, and testimonies from witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. The case has sparked interest within the police department, given Bhati’s position and the nature of the crime. Authorities are treating the incident as a murder and have registered a formal case. They are also examining whether there were prior warnings or signs of domestic tension that could have indicated the risk of violence. As the search continues, police emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and that more details may emerge as the inquiry progresses. The focus remains on locating Bhati and determining the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Meanwhile, the community in Vinod Nagar and beyond awaits further updates on the case.