Man accused of killing wife over dowry demand held after encounter in Kheri

Dowry Death Accused Held After Encounter in Kheri

Lucknow: A 28-year-old man accused in a dowry death case was arrested after a police encounter in Lakhimpur Kheri in the early hours of Sunday, with the post-mortem confirming that his wife was strangled and suffered electric burn injuries, police said. Police officials also added it happens to be first case wherein a man accused in a dowry death case was held after an encounter.

The accused, Robin Ali, sustained a bullet injury to his leg during an exchange of fire with a Padua police team near Dhakherwa Khalsa and was arrested on the spot. He is the prime accused in the murder of his wife, Shahnaz Bano, 23, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on June 5.

Senior superintendent of police Khyati Garg said the accused opened fire while attempting to evade arrest. “Police retaliated in self-defence, and he was apprehended after sustaining a gunshot injury,” she said, adding that he is undergoing treatment in police custody.

An FIR was registered on a complaint by the victim’s father, alleging prolonged harassment over dowry. Police said Shahnaz, who married Robin in May 2022, faced repeated abuse over demands for a motorcycle and Rs 40,000. She stayed at her parental home for nearly a year and returned to her in-laws’ house around three weeks before her death following a compromise.

The post-mortem report confirmed homicide, citing “asphyxia due to ante-mortem throttling” as the cause of death. Doctors noted neck injuries, fracture of the thyroid cartilage, blood in the trachea and electric burn marks, indicating severe violence before strangulation.

“Medical evidence clearly establishes murder, and relevant sections have been added,” the SSP said.

Police also found bloodstains in a room separate from where the body was recovered, suggesting the assault took place elsewhere. A country-made pistol, cartridges and a motorcycle were recovered from the accused.