UP: 2 helpers among 3 held for killing ex-IAS officer’s wife

Joint Commissioner of Police (Lucknow) Akash Kulhary said Ravi and Akhilesh had been working at the victim’s house as helpers for the past several years. Ranjeet is a labourer. Police said that Akhilesh suffered a gunshot injury on his right leg during an exchange of fire with the police and is stable after treatment. Akhilesh was injured when he attempted to escape after firing at the police and the police also opened fire in response, officers claimed.

Police claimed to have recovered stolen jewellery worth around Rs 1 crore as well as foreign currency from their possession. A screwdriver and a two-wheeler allegedly used in the crime and the (Digital Video Recorder) DVR of the CCTV system that had been installed at the victim’s house was also recovered.

On Saturday morning, when retired IAS officer Devendra Dubey returned home from playing golf, he found his wife, Lalit Mohini Dubey dead and their home ransacked. A police team reached the house and sent the body for postmortem examination. Akash said that after questioning several persons, they concluded that someone known to the victim could be involved in the crime. Police collected CCTV footage of the neighbouring areas. Police spotted two persons wearing helmets near the residence.

The police picked up Akhilesh for questioning. Police said that after questioning, Akhilesh admitted to his role in the crime, along with his brother Ravi and friend Ranjeet, who were also arrested later. Police said that during investigation, it was revealed that Akhilesh was diagnosed with tuberculosis some time ago and had borrowed over Rs 2 lakh for his treatment. He was unable to repay the debt. Ranjeet borrowed around Rs 3 lakh and also failed to repay the money.

According to sources, Akhilesh got married recently and Devendra Nath promised to help him financially. The accused was expecting a substantial amount, but when Devendra gave him just Rs 21,000, the brothers became upset.

During questioning, Akhilesh told the police that they planned the robbery as they knew where the victim kept her jewellery and other valuable items. The three accused chose Saturday for the crime because the regular domestic help does not come to work on that day. Ravi accompanied Devendra Nath when he left the house. Meanwhile, Akhilesh went to the house and and introduced the victim to his friend, Ranjeet. Police said that when Ranjeet bowed down to touch her feet, Ravi grabbed her by the neck. When the victim fell, the accused struck her with a screwdriver.

After collecting jewellery, foreign currency and other valuables from the house, the accused fled on a two-wheeler.

Later, Akhilesh led the police to the location in the city where he had buried a bag containing the stolen jewellery, money and the DVR. Police said the accused had also hidden a country-made pistol in the bag. When he retrieved the bag, Akhilesh took out the pistol and opened fire at the police team. In retaliation, the police fired back, resulting in a bullet injury to his leg, officers claimed.