Runaway Jamshedpur cop Manoj Gupta surrenders before SSP

Taken to crime scene at Sonari flat to aid investigators

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 28: Suspended sub inspector Manoj Gupta who killed a woman and injured two others including his wife Poonam Gupta surrendered before SSP Jamshedpur Anoop Birtharay on Sunday.

Gupta was absconding after shooting the three persons in his house at Gautam Navlakha Apartment in Sonari Friday last. City police had set up 15 teams to search for him at various locations within and outside the city.

After his surrender, Gupta was taken to his flat by a team comprising investigators of the shootout and senior police officials. Cops took the accused to the crime scene for interrogation in connection with the multiple shootings.

Contacted, senior police officials said Gupta was being interrogated for clues about the circumstances under which he shot at the three persons. Gupta was in touch with few senior cops who persuaded as well as pressurized him to surrender.

One of the victims, Seema Devi, mother of Chandan and a neighbour of Poonam Gupta�s parents in Patna, had died at the scene. The other two victims, Chandan and Poonam Gupta are at TMH where their condition is reportedly critical. Poonam sustained two bullet wounds. One bullet escaped her body after piercing the abdomen while the other hit her leg. Seema Devi sustained four bullet wounds in her chest and one wound in the head.

After committing the crime, the Inspector ran away from the crime scene. He was captured by a CCTV camera installed at the apartment on his way out of the building.

Prima facie investigation revealed that the incident resulted due to an over 15 year old family dispute. Poonam Gupta had lodged a case of torture and cruelty against her husband with the Sonari PS.

Poonam Gupta had returned to her Sonari residence from Patna on Friday morning after being asked by her husband to settle their family dispute amicably. Along with her, Chandan and Seema Devi also came to Jamshedpur. The three went up to Poonam�s apartment around 8.11 am.

On seeing Chandan and his mother along with Poonam, Manoj lost his temper. He took out his service revolver and shot the three. He ran down and escaped from the building. Hearing gunshots, local residents rushed to the scene and informed police about the incident.

Manoj Gupta was posted at Gudri police station of West Singhbhum and he was suspended on the basis of the complaint filed by his wife. He had applied for sick leave and left West Singhbhum on 19^th July last. He was earlier posted in Jamshedpur. He is the father of a son and two daughters.

Chandan, also a resident of Mithapur in Patna, knew Poonam for a long time.