The Hindu : Man shoots wife in suicide pact

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Man shoots wife in suicide pact

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI. FEB. 19. A 23-year-old woman was allegedly shot dead by her husband in her house at Mansarovar Park in North-East Delhi today. The couple had apparently planned to end their lives as they were facing severe economic crisis, but the accused was caught before he could shoot himself.

According to the police, Ajay Kumar (26), a resident of Ram Nagar Extension in Mansarovar Park, shot at his wife, Mamtesh, on the first floor of his house around 7-15 a.m. At the time, Ajay's parents and an elder brother were on the ground floor. Hearing the gunshot, they rushed to the first floor and caught hold of Ajay. They found Mamtesh lying in a pool of blood. She died on the spot. Subsequently, the police were informed. Ajay was arrested and the weapon of offence, a country-made revolver, recovered.

During interrogation Ajay told the police that he had married Mamtesh, who was still studying, against the wishes of his family in June last year. The family was against the marriage because it was an inter-caste marriage. Ajay's elder brother is still unmarried, while the younger sister was married some time ago.

Ajay, who used earlier used to work in a publishing company, was out of job for the past many months. Even his brother was also unemployed. With his father, who works with the Food Corporation of India, being the only earning member, the family was going through economic crisis. After apparently failing to wriggle out of the situation, Ajay and his wife decided to end their lives.

Today morning, Ajay shot his wife from a close range and pressed the trigger to kill himself but the bullet got stuck, he told the police. In the meantime, his family members arrived on the scene and stopped him from making any further attempt to kill himself.

The police, however, said Ajay's claims were being verified. They added that a ballistic examination was needed to ascertain if the gun actually gave way when he was trying to end his life. They are also trying to find out from where did he procure the gun.

Meanwhile, a case of murder has been registered at Mansarovar Park police station and further investigations are on.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi