Woman shot dead inside private hospital in UP’s Chandauli

CHANDAULI: A woman undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district was shot dead inside the facility on Monday morning, police said.

The accused allegedly tried to flee after the incident but was caught by a mob outside the hospital, thrashed, and later handed over to the police.

Superintendent of Police Akash Patel identified the deceased as Laxmina Devi (55), a resident of Bihar’s Bhabua district. She had been admitted to the hospital in Kamlapur under the Alinagar police station area after suffering a leg fracture and undergoing surgery.

According to police, the incident took place around 6.30am when an unidentified man entered the hospital posing as a patient seeking treatment.

After collecting medication, the accused allegedly walked into the ward, placed a pistol against Devi’s temple and shot her dead on the spot, Patel said.

The accused then attempted to escape while firing another round, but people gathered outside the hospital overpowered him before he could flee.

Police recovered a revolver from the accused, who has been detained for questioning.

“The motive behind the murder has not yet been ascertained,” police said.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused identified himself as Gurpreet, a resident of Amritsar. Asked why he had come to Chandauli, he allegedly told police that he had arrived in search of work as a security guard, Patel said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination and further investigation is underway.