Gurugram blogger who plotted banker’s murder pregnant, gets bail

GURUGRAM: Blogger and freelance writer Shefali Bhasin Tiwari (35), accused of plotting the murder of banker Deepika Chouhan (32), who was pushed to death from the balcony of her eighth floor flat in Ansal Valley View in Gwalpahari allegedly by her husband, has been granted bail by the court on account of her pregnancy.
Deepika, who had observed fast on Karwa Chauth wishing long life for her husband, had a fight with her husband soon after over his illicit affair, when she was pushed to her death on October 28.The next day, police arrested her husband Vikram Chouhan for her murder. On November 13, Shefali was arrested on charge of criminal conspiracy.
According to police, Shefali and Vikram, who live in the same society, had made extensive plans to eliminate Deepika so that they could live together. Emails and WhatsApp chats between the two retrieved by police proved crucial to solving the case and expose Shefali’s role.
Earlier last week, Shefali’s lawyer Vivek Nasa applied for her bail, claiming she is eight-months pregnant, along with a medical report that delivery could be premature, arguing there is no facility for a pregnant women in jail. “Court has granted interim bail to Shefali on medical grounds,” said DLF 1 SHO Sanjeev Kumar, the case officer, adding the interim bail can be extended depending on the petitioner’s medical condition.
The development has enraged residents of the society, who had highlighted the affair between Vikram and Shefali from the first day. They asked how the jail couldn’t have a gynaecologist and argued that Shefali should have been shifted to Civil Hospital for delivery, instead of being granted bail. “She could have been shifted to a hospital with police security or put under home arrest,” said a resident.
Deepika’s sister Shailja Thakural said, “She (Shefali) is the mastermind who conspired my sister’s murder. We need support from people to get her bail cancelled.” and asked why a murder accused is granted bail, when so many other pregnant woman languish in jail.
Police are still probing a third suspect in the case — Vikram’s brother Amit — who is on the run. They said Amit’s family members are not sharing any details. “Amit’s new employer, as claimed by a family member, turned out to be his previous employer,” said a policeman, adding the suspect is believed to be hiding in a southern state, from where he is believed to have got in touch with his family via video calling.