IPS officer's 95-year-old mother found dead in UP village, jewellery missing
In a tragic incident in Uttar Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar district, the 95-year-old mother of a serving Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her residence on Sunday morning. Her gold jewellery was reported missing, prompting a police investigation into both the death and the apparent theft.
The victim, identified as Indrawati, was discovered lying on a cot inside her house in Rudha Dhamrua village at around 9 a.m. by a domestic worker. The worker immediately alerted neighbours, who then informed the local police. Indrawati had been living alone since the death of her husband, a former principal of a government inter-college.
Her son, IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra, who is currently posted in Lucknow, arrived at the village at approximately 3 p.m. after receiving the news. He subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the police, alleging murder and robbery against unidentified persons. According to the complaint, a gold chain, nose pin, earrings, and anklets belonging to his mother were missing. Police officials said no other household items appeared to have been disturbed, suggesting that the motive behind the crime may have been theft.
The family suspects that the perpetrators entered the house on the night of Saturday, August 15, killed Indrawati, and then took the jewellery. However, investigating officers have urged caution, stating that the exact cause of death remains unknown pending a post-mortem examination.
Malipur Station House Officer (SHO) Shashank Shukla said, "The actual cause of death will become clear after the post-mortem report." He added that police are thoroughly investigating both the circumstances surrounding the death and the missing jewellery. Forensic teams have been called in to examine the scene, and statements from neighbours and relatives are being recorded.
The incident has drawn reactions from political leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over the loss and criticised the state government's handling of law and order. In a social media post, he said, "In Ambedkar Nagar, the sad news has come of the murder of the mother of an IPS officer. The police themselves are not safe in Uttar Pradesh, unfortunate!" His remarks highlight ongoing concerns about public safety in the state, though officials have not yet commented on the broader law-and-order situation.
The district police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of murder and robbery. A special team has been constituted to investigate the case, and senior police officials have visited the spot. Meanwhile, the body has been sent for post-mortem to determine the exact cause and time of death.
The community has been left in shock by the incident, with villagers gathering at the scene as police carried out their investigation. Indrawati was described by neighbours as a quiet and gentle woman who kept to herself. The area is generally peaceful, and such a crime has raised concerns among local residents.
Authorities have appealed for public cooperation in identifying the culprits. Anyone with information related to the incident has been urged to contact the local police station. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited as the post-mortem report and other forensic evidence are processed.
