Lover Kills Woman Auto Driver After Betrayal in Relationship, Prime Accused Arrested in Jhansi

Jhansi: The Jhansi police have cracked the sensational murder case of woman auto driver Anita Chaudhary, revealing that she was shot dead by her lover following a fallout over their relationship. The prime accused, Mukesh Jha, has been arrested, police officials confirmed on Friday night.

Mukesh Jha, who was carrying a reward of ₹25,000 on his arrest, confessed during preliminary interrogation that he killed Anita after feeling betrayed in love. Anita Chaudhary was widely known as Jhansi’s first woman auto driver, and her murder had drawn nationwide attention. The National Commission for Women had also taken cognizance of the case and sought a report from the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police.

Murder Initially Passed Off as Accident

The incident came to light on the morning of January 5, when an overturned auto-rickshaw was found on Station Road under the Nawabad police station area. Anita’s blood-soaked body was recovered from the spot. Initially, the incident was suspected to be a road accident, but protests by the victim’s family led to further investigation, which confirmed that she had been shot dead.

Based on a complaint filed by Anita’s husband, Dwarika, the police registered a murder case against Mukesh Jha, Shivam, and Manoj. Shivam and Manoj were taken into custody for questioning, which helped the police uncover the motive and sequence of events.

Arrest After Intensive Search

Mukesh Jha had been absconding since the murder, prompting the Jhansi police to announce a cash reward for information leading to his arrest. After an intensive search operation, police arrested him late Friday night near Bhagwantpura Road.

SP City Preeti Singh stated that Mukesh admitted to committing the crime due to personal resentment arising from the failed relationship. “Two other accused have also been named in the case, and further investigation is underway,” she said.

The brutal killing of Anita Chaudhary has shocked the city and raised serious concerns about crimes driven by personal vendetta and gender-based violence.