“I’m Getting Married, Don’t Follow Me!”: Shocking Murder of Young Event Manager in Bareilly Uncovered

Bareilly, UP: A shocking case has emerged from Bareilly, where a young event manager from Baradari was kidnapped and murdered. The victim’s body was found buried near a canal, and the investigation revealed a chilling premeditated crime.

Incident Details:
The victim, 30-year-old Pooja Rana, who managed events in the city, went missing on 12 January around 2 PM after leaving home on her scooter. Initially, her family assumed she had gone for a work assignment, but when she did not return the next day, her brother Manoj Rana filed a missing person complaint at Baradari Police Station.

Police investigation, aided by CCTV footage, revealed that Pooja had been picked up by a car, later identified as belonging to Vimal, a resident of Badepura, Hafizganj. Under intense questioning, Vimal confessed to the crime, disclosing the gruesome details.

The Murder Plot:
Vimal, who had studied physiotherapy but also worked in event management, allegedly planned the murder over a financial dispute. He, along with an accomplice, took Pooja to Ramganganagar, where a fight over ₹30,000 escalated. After forcing her into a car, Vimal and his friend strangled her with a muffler around 7 PM.

They then drove around for hours before burying her body near a canal in Rithora, digging a 1–2 feet deep grave. Pooja’s scooter was dumped in Sharda Canal, Puranpur, Pilibhit, while her mobile phone was retained for three days to mislead the family and authorities.

Attempt to Mislead Police:
Vimal tried to divert attention by sending messages from Pooja’s phone, including one stating, “I’m getting married, don’t follow me. I’ll be back by 22 January.” Later, he even claimed on the phone that she had married. He attempted to flee during recovery of her mobile but was shot in the leg by police and arrested.

Forensic Confirmation:
A post-mortem conducted by a panel of three doctors confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. Police have upgraded the charges from kidnapping to murder and are investigating further to apprehend any remaining accomplices.

Family Tragedy:
Pooja was the third of four siblings and a major support for her family. Her father, Prem Singh Rana, a laborer, broke down saying, “Our daughter was talented and responsible. She was about to have a love marriage after Holi, but she was killed before that could happen.”

Police continue to investigate the case, ensuring that justice is delivered for the young woman whose life was brutally cut short.