Daijiworld Media Network - Ambedkar Nagar
Ambedkar Nagar, Aug 17: The 95-year-old mother of IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra was found dead at her home in Rudha Dhamrua village of Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district on Sunday, Aug 16. Jewellery she was reportedly wearing was found missing, raising suspicion of murder and robbery. However, police said no visible injuries or signs of struggle were found on her body and the exact cause of death is yet to be established.
The deceased, identified as Indrawati, lived alone following the death of her husband, a former government inter college principal. She was found lying on a cot inside her house at around 9 am. A domestic worker reportedly discovered her and alerted neighbours.
According to police, a gold chain, nose pin, earrings and anklets were missing from the house. No other household belongings appeared to have been disturbed.
IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra, currently posted in Lucknow, reached the village at around 3 pm and later lodged a complaint alleging murder and robbery against unidentified persons. The family suspected that thieves may have entered the house on Saturday night, killed Indrawati and fled with her jewellery. However, police said this theory has not been established by the investigation.
Ambedkar Nagar Superintendent of Police Prachi Singh said Ramesh Chandra Mishra informed Malipur Police Station at around 1:13 pm on Aug 16 that Indrawati had died of a suspected heart attack at around 8 am.
Later, at around 2:30 pm, Ashutosh Mishra became suspicious that his mother may have been murdered after noticing that the jewellery she had been wearing was missing.
Police officials and a forensic team subsequently inspected the residence and conducted a preliminary examination. According to the SP, no injury marks or signs of struggle were found on the body.
The body was sent for postmortem examination, which was conducted by a team of three doctors and videographed. The postmortem report recommended preservation of the viscera.
Police said the heart will also be sent for histopathological examination to determine the cause of cardiac arrest and ascertain whether the death was due to a cardiac event.
Malipur SHO Shashank Shukla said the actual cause of death would become clear after the postmortem process and further examination.
A case has been registered under relevant sections and legal proceedings are underway. Police are investigating both the circumstances surrounding Indrawati’s death and the disappearance of her jewellery.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief over the incident and criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over the reported death of the IPS officer’s mother. He said the incident was particularly concerning as the victim was the mother of an IPS officer and questioned the law-and-order situation in the state.
The investigation is continuing, with police awaiting the histopathological examination and other findings. At present, murder has not been established, while the missing jewellery remains a key part of the investigation.