Accused caught after encounter
Varanasi: Police on Monday claimed to have arrested a co-accused in the murder of a 22-year-old MSc student after an encounter near Jakhini. Police said he had helped the main accused murder the student, whose decomposed body was recovered from the waterlogged washroom of a rented room in the Rohania area on Aug 20. A clip from Aug 18 showed a man on the terrace around 9.45 pm. Choubey came out about 18 minutes later, while the other man was also seen leaving. A .315-bore firearm, live cartridges and empty shells were recovered from him. Police said he told investigators that Choubey, his long-time friend, had promised him Rs 22 lakh for helping murder the victim and that they carried out the killing together.
Police said his call records showed frequent contact with Choubey, while IPDR analysis allegedly confirmed his presence at the crime scene and later at his maternal uncle’s house in Chunar.
Police said he assisted main accused Vivek Choubey in the crime. Police said Mishra was injured in retaliatory firing in self-defence. The accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was taken to hospital. The arrested accused was identified as Puneet Mishra, a resident of Mau. Police examined CCTV footage and found another man moving with the victim and Choubey. Later, Choubey and the victim entered the house. Choubey left on a motorcycle and the second man in a cab. Police traced the cab driver, who provided the suspect’s mobile number. Call records and cab-booking details helped identify him as Mishra. Police later received information that Mishra had been seen near Jamuni Tiraha in Jakhini. During checking on the Ramaipur-Rampur road, police spotted him on a motorcycle with an associate. When asked to stop, the associate allegedly opened fire and escaped. After receiving primary treatment, Mishra allegedly confessed to his role.
Murder Case Filed Against Choubey Following Family Complaint
A murder case has been registered against Choubey based on a complaint from the victim’s family. DCP Gomti and DCP Crime Neetu Kadyan confirmed the development. In response to the case, four police teams have been established to conduct the investigation.