A Delhi Police constable allegedly shot his wife dead with his service pistol on a road in East Delhi early on Sunday. The victim’s family has alleged ongoing dowry harassment since their 2023 marriage.
Priyanka, a 30-year-old teacher, was shot near Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Vinod Nagar after an argument with her husband, Manish Bhatti. According to police, the couple had left their home around 3 a.m. following a dispute over the husband not wishing her on her birthday.
CCTV footage reportedly shows the pair arguing before Bhatti fired. A passerby took Priyanka to hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Bhatti, posted with the Anti-Auto Theft Squad, remains absconding and a murder case has been registered against him.
The victim’s family told police that Priyanka had previously complained of dowry harassment to the women’s cell, though the matter was settled after counselling. Rajeev Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), said the death has been reported to the SDM for inquiry because the marriage was less than seven years old and that allegations of dowry harassment are being verified.
