Spat with wife leads Head Constable to shoot self

A 38-year-old Delhi Police Head Constable allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence in North-east Delhi’s New Usmanpur area late on Saturday night. According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Gyanendra Rathi. A senior police official of the North-east district said that no suicide has been recovered from the possession of the deceased Head Constable.

Police said that the incident took place at around 12.30 am at Gali no 10 of Brahampuri area of New Usmanpur where Rathi lived with his family. Rathi was posted with the Special Cell, an anti-terror unit of the Delhi Police. He was posted at the Cell’s Lodhi Colony office.

Rathi reached his residence at around 12.30 am. This led to a heated argument between him and his wife. In a fit of rage, Rathi took out his service pistol, placed the pistol on his forehead and shot himself, said a senior police official.

According to a senior police official of the North-east district, they received a PCR call at around 1.04 am that Rathi had shot himself.

Investigators said that Rathi had reached home in an inebriated state which led to the quarrel. He allegedly used to have frequent verbal spats with his wife after consuming alcohol.

Sources said that on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, there was a spat between the couple over preparation of food following which, the Head Constable lost his temper and shot himself. 

Police said that Rathi was married for the past 12 years. He is survived by his wife and an 11-year-old son.

A police official said that Rathi shot himself in front of his wife and son. Shocked, Rathi’s family rushed him to the GTB hospital where he was declared brought dead. Local police was also informed.

Sources said that Gyanendra had three brothers. While one brother was working in the IT department of a private firm, the other ran his own business. The third brother, also a Delhi Police official is currently posted at the Tis Hazari Courts. Rathi’s father too served in the Delhi Police, added the sources.

Police said that Rathi had joined the services of the Delhi Police in the year 1997 where he was inducted as a Constable. For the past 4-5 years, Rathi has been posted as a Head Constable at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell.

A senior police official said, “We have initiated a probe under Section 174 of the CrPC (Inquest Proceedings). Further investigation in the matter is still on.”