Dehradun Woman Brutally Murdered in Broad Daylight After Rejecting Married Man
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through Uttarakhand, a 23-year-old woman was hacked to death in broad daylight in Dehradun's bustling Paltan Bazaar on Monday. The victim, identified as Gunjan Srivastava, was attacked by a man who allegedly continued to pursue her aggressively even after she cut off all contact with him.
Graphic Attack in Crowded Market Area
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dehradun Ajai Singh revealed that the horrific incident occurred around 10 am, just as shops were opening for business in the busy commercial area. Gunjan Srivastava had parked her scooter at her brother-in-law's residence and was walking toward the shop where she worked when she was ambushed.
The accused, identified only as Akash, waylaid her and struck her neck with a cleaver, causing her to collapse on the ground with profuse bleeding. Despite the public location and morning hours, the attacker managed to flee the scene immediately after the assault.
Police responded swiftly to the crime, arresting Akash within two hours of the incident. He was brought to the police station for interrogation, and a murder case was promptly registered against him. The accused was later produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
Three-Year Friendship Turns Deadly
According to police investigations, Srivastava and Akash had been friends for nearly three years, both working in different shops within the same market complex. Their relationship had been close enough that Akash frequently visited her home in the past.
The situation changed dramatically when Gunjan's family discovered that Akash was married and had a child. Concerned about their daughter's association with a married man, the family objected to their meetings and formally informed Akash's family about their disapproval.
Both parties eventually agreed to end all contact, even submitting a formal letter to the nearest police checkpost documenting their mutual decision to sever ties. This official documentation was meant to prevent any future harassment or unwanted advances.
Police Complaint Ignored Before Fatal Attack
Despite the formal agreement and police documentation, Akash allegedly continued to pursue Gunjan Srivastava persistently. The harassment escalated to the point where, just two days before her murder, Srivastava filed a formal police complaint on Saturday seeking protection and legal action against her stalker.
Police immediately acted on the complaint, attempting to contact Akash through his phone, which was found to be switched off. A police team then visited both his residence and workplace but discovered that he had not been seen at either location since Saturday.
On Monday morning, Akash emerged from hiding and attacked Gunjan in what police describe as a fit of rage, carrying out the brutal assault in full public view during business hours.
Social Media Circulation and Police Warning
Following the horrific incident, graphic videos of the killing circulated widely on various social media platforms. Police have issued stern warnings against sharing such disturbing content, emphasizing that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found circulating the videos or related graphic material.
This tragic murder represents the third alleged killing of a woman reported in Uttarakhand within just five days, highlighting growing concerns about women's safety in the region:
- On Thursday morning, a 17-year-old Class 12 student was found murdered with multiple injuries to her neck and face in a village on the outskirts of Dehradun. Preliminary investigations point to her cousin as the prime suspect, who has been on the run since the discovery.
- Two days later, on Saturday night, a woman working on a contractual basis at AIIMS Rishikesh was allegedly shot dead by her lover at her rented accommodation in Rishikesh's Shivaji Nagar area. The accused was arrested on Monday from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
The series of violent incidents against women has raised serious questions about law enforcement effectiveness and preventive measures in Uttarakhand, with community leaders and women's rights organizations calling for immediate action to address the escalating violence.
