Mystery shrouds death of cop found dead outside police station

NEW DELHI: Mystery surrounds the death of a head constable, who was found shot dead near the gate of Vijay Vihar police station of Rohini District. Family members of the deceased cop Rajesh alleged foul play, after which police registered a case of murder and transferred the case to Crime Branch of Delhi Police.

According to police, the incident was reported on Wednesday around 10.30 pm. The personnel in the police station were busy working, when they suddenly heard a gunshot from near the station's gate.

Eyewitnesses said that they rushed to the spot to find Rajesh lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

Speaking to media persons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Rishipal said, "Before he was found dead, the deceased was talking to another head constable in the station's parking area. The gunshot was heard by other staff sitting near the Duty officer."

The DCP further said that keeping in mind the suspicious circumstances leading to Rajesh's death, a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered, and the investigation has been handed over to Crime Branch.

Police said that as per preliminary evidence, investigators believed it to be case of suicide. However, Rajesh's family members insisted on some foul play behind the incident.

"The family members have alleged murder, which is why a murder case has been registered," said a police official.

To get more clarity in the investigation, a board of doctors has been instituted to conduct post-mortem. Police also roped in specialised teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory, which were called to the spot to find relevant clues.

Several incidents of policemen committing suicide or being found dead under mysterious circumstances have been reported this year.

Last Friday, a policeman in Delhi, posted with the 2nd Battalion, allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service pistol inside his car in North West Delhi.

On August 27, a Delhi Police head constable had shot himself dead in the Delhi Cantonment area. A suicide note was recovered from him, which claimed familial discord for him taking the extreme step.

The deceased was identified as Pramod Kumar, who lived with his wife and two children in Gopal Nagar area of Najafgarh.

In another incident, the Station House Officer of Jaitpur police station and an assistant sub-inspector were transferred to District Lines, following allegations of harassment by a cop from the same police station who committed suicide.

The deceased, assistant sub-Inspector Devender, had shot himself dead with his service revolver near Yamuna bank, leaving behind a suicide note at his home accusing the ASI Sunder Lal and the SHO Ram Niwas of harassing him