A Delhi Police constable, who had been on the run after allegedly shooting his wife dead in East Delhi, was found dead in an apparent suicide on Tuesday evening, officials said. The deceased, identified as Manish Bhati, was a 2022-batch constable posted with the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the Delhi Police. His body was recovered from a parking area near the Mayur Vihar–Noida Link Road.
According to police, Bhati is suspected to have died by suicide using his service revolver. The weapon was found lying near the body. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and a detailed investigation is underway.
The development comes days after Bhati allegedly shot his wife, Priyanka, in the Kalyanpuri area on Sunday night. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajeev Kumar said the couple had gone out to celebrate her birthday when an argument reportedly broke out. During the altercation, Bhati allegedly stopped the scooter near Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital and shot her before fleeing the scene.
Priyanka was rushed to the hospital by passersby but was declared dead by doctors.
Following the incident, her family accused Bhati and his relatives of dowry harassment. Her father alleged that despite a substantial dowry given at the time of marriage, including cash, the accused and his family continued to demand a luxury car. Police confirmed that these allegations are being examined as part of the ongoing probe.
Bhati had been absconding since the incident, prompting multiple search operations across the Delhi-NCR region and parts of Haryana. Investigators had been scanning CCTV footage and conducting raids to trace his whereabouts.
On Tuesday evening, police received information about a man found dead in a parking area behind a hotel near the link road. A team reached the spot and identified the body as Bhati. Officials said they are also investigating how the constable continued to possess his service revolver while on the run and where he had been hiding during this period. Forensic teams examined the scene, and further inquiries are in progress.
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