Suicide accused engineer releases video, police ask him to join probe

Jaipur: The suicide case of a married woman in Jaipur took a fresh turn Wednesday after PWD executive engineer Gautam Meena, accused of abetting the suicide of his wife Anu Meena, released a video statement denying the allegations against him while police said he was absconding and should cooperate with the investigation.

Four days after Muhana police registered a case of abetment to suicide against him, Gautam released the video on social media claiming he never harassed his wife for money and that efforts were being made to turn his children against him.

Anu Meena (36) died by suicide on April 7 at the couple’s residence in Balaji Vihar under Muhana police station limits. Nearly a month later, her brother lodged an FIR accusing Gautam of mentally and physically harassing her and driving her to suicide.

Police said the complainant submitted CCTV footage allegedly showing Gautam assaulting his wife and damaging an LED television during a domestic dispute. The footage has been included in the investigation.

In the video, Gautam claimed that nearly 70% of his property was registered in Anu’s name and insisted he never troubled her financially. “If a fair investigation is conducted, the truth will come out,” he said.

He said that on the day of the incident he was travelling towards Chomu and had spoken to Anu twice over the phone. According to him, she hinted at taking an extreme step, after which he contacted neighbour Digvijay and asked him to rush to the house.

“The neighbour reached there, but it took time to break open the gate. By then, Anu had died,” he said.

Gautam further claimed that a 500-square-yard plot in Patrakar Colony and another plot in Chomu were registered in his wife’s name. He also said he had gifted her a Skoda car on her birthday last year.

Without naming anyone, he alleged that his in-laws took away jewellery, valuables and the DVR system from the house after the incident and claimed he was being blackmailed using CCTV footage.

DCP (south) Rajarshi Raj Verma said the ACP Mansarovar office was investigating the case. “He should come and cooperate in the investigation rather than releasing these videos,” Verma said.