Monday, 03 FEBRUARY 2025 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The police arrested a man on charges of the murder of a woman, Asha Devi, whose semi naked body was found near the forest area of the Labour Colony in the IDPL area in Rishikesh last month. The accused, identified as Sanjay Gusain was arrested after an encounter on Dehradun road late on Saturday night. The superintendent of police (Rural) Jaya Baluni said that Gusain is a resident of Kumharbada, Rishikesh and has confessed to killing the woman during interrogation. She said that he revealed that he first met Asha on December 22, 2024, in Kumharbada, where she was inquiring about a faith healer. Gusain reportedly took her to Doiwala in search of one but upon failing to find anyone, they returned to Rishikesh. He also gave Asha his mobile number to contact him later. The SP said, “According to the accused, Asha contacted him again on the evening of the same day, asking him to take her to the faith healer. Sanjay picked her up from a hotel near the Railway Road on his scooty and took her to Raiwala. From there, they bought alcohol and some food before heading to the parking ground near the Labour Colony in IDPL. While drinking alcohol, an argument broke out between them. According to Gusain, he pushed Asha down a slope in a fit of rage due to which her head hit a stone which caused severe bleeding. Fearing that she might report the incident, he struck her head with the same stone and strangled her to death. He then hid her body in the bushes before fleeing the scene.” The SP said that the woman’s body was found on January 19. The police had been searching for the accused and through CCTV footage, they confirmed Gusain’s identity. The police also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for any information leading to his arrest. “Acting on a tip-off, the Dehradun SOG team and police laid a trap to apprehend him near Saat Mod on Saturday evening. When confronted, Gusain fired one round at the police, prompting them to retaliate. The police fired two rounds, one of which hit him in the leg, leading to his capture. The police also recovered a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, two empty shells and a motorcycle from his possession. Further investigation revealed that Gusain had a long criminal history, with over 28 cases registered against him. The police will continue to investigate the matter to gather more details in the case,” the SP said.
