Retd PWD AE shot by maid’s hubby, 2 more bodies found

Lucknow: In separate incidents, three murders were reported in the state capital over a span of 24 hours. Retired assistant engineer Arun Kumar Mishra (70) was shot inside his Dilkash Vihar residence in Madiaon early Tuesday. Police said the accused, Manoj Pandey (40), husband of Mishra's domestic help Rama Devi, barged into the house and fired at the elderly with his licensed double-barrel gun. The bullet pierced Mishra's chest, killing him on the spot.Investigations revealed Pandey was in dispute with his wife over construction of a building. Rama, who had been working at Mishra's house for past 18 months, was present during the attack. Police suspect Pandey came to confront her but ended up killing Mishra in a fit of rage. Rama has been detained, while a manhunt is on for Pandey.Retired from PWD, Mishra lived alone, while his wife, a retired school principal, stayed separately in Lucknow and their son works in the US. Neighbours described him as a quiet, soft-spoken man. Forensic experts combed the house and lifted samples, while ADCP (North) J K Dubey confirmed FIR was lodged on the family's complaint."We are probing all motives, though personal enmity appears to be the trigger. The role of the domestic help and her husband is under scrutiny," said officials. In another incident, a youth's body was found floating in a canal near Gautam Kheda on the Madakheda–Sisendi road in Nigoha on Tuesday morning. Police retrieved the body around 8 am and circulated photographs for identification. Shortly later, Ramnaresh, resident of Mohanlalganj, identified the deceased as his 24-year-old son Shani Rawat. "Based on the family's complaint, FIR was registered against a named accused and two suspects were detained for questioning," said police. ‘Panchnama' was conducted in presence of relatives before the body was sent for autopsy. Police are probing possible motives while awaiting the post-mortem report. Body of recovery agent Kunal Shukla, 26, was found inside an office in Banthra on Tuesday. The body, found slumped on a divan, bore severe head injuries and one eye gouged out, indicating a brutal attack. Police said Shukla was bludgeoned to death with a heavy object late Monday night. DCP (South) Nipun Agarwal said, "CCTV cameras were vandalised and DVR stolen in an attempt to erase evidence."