Bank employee held for woman's murder

Lucknow: A private bank employee was arrested by Gonda police in connection with murder of the daughter-in-law of a former MLA.

The arrest came four days after she went missing from Balrampur and found murdered in Gonda.

The accused, a sales officer at a private bank in Balrampur, was arrested and sent to jail after he confessed to his crime, which he claimed was driven by personal resentment and emotional distress.

The woman, who was married and had three children, was allegedly in a relationship with the bank employee in the past, police said.

"She went missing on April 1. Her husband filed a missing person report the next day. Police launched an intensive search using CCTV footage, social media, and local inquiries to trace her whereabouts," said SP, Balrampur, Vikash Kumar.

On Thursday evening, police in Gonda district were informed about the recovery of a woman's body near a drain. She was later identified by her husband.

"During the investigation, police scanned CCTV footage and spotted the suspect, who was later identified. It was found that the accused was known to the woman through family ties," the officer added.

"The accused told the police that he and the woman were in a relationship in the past, but later she started ignoring him. He alleged that she developed a relationship with someone else, which caused him emotional turmoil. Enraged over this, he plotted her murder," the SP said.

On the fateful day, the accused called her on the pretext of meeting. He drove her across three districts, Shrawasti, Bahraich, and finally Gonda, where he strangulated her.

"We have recovered the vehicle used in the crime, the victim's mobile phone, and the dupatta used for strangulation. The accused has been booked for murder and destruction of evidence," the SP added.