SIT Formed to Investigate Mysterious Death of SHO Arun Kumar Rai in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun

Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh | December 9, 2025 A high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed in Jalaun to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Kuthaund station house officer (SHO) Arun Kumar Rai, who was found with a gunshot wound at his official residence late on Friday, December 5. The case, initially treated as a possible suicide, has taken a sharp turn after serious allegations surfaced, leading police to register a murder case and arrest a colleague of the SHO. Rai, who was discovered with a critical injury caused by his service pistol, died hours after the incident. His wife, Maya Rai, filed a complaint on December 6, naming woman constable Meenakshi Sharma as the primary suspect. Her statement shifted the direction of the probe, prompting investigators to re-evaluate what happened that night. Sharma, who was reportedly the first person to emerge from Rai’s residence after the sound of gunfire, was arrested shortly after the FIR. Police sources say the investigation is now centred around a potential blackmail angle, as the complainant alleged that Sharma had been pressuring the SHO for a large financial payment. CCTV footage from the area shows her movements around the time of the incident, strengthening suspicions raised by the family. The newly formed SIT, led by a senior inspector and supported by two additional officers under the supervision of deputy SP Jai Shankar Bajpai, has sealed the crime scene and begun a detailed, scientific inquiry. Superintendent of police Durgesh Kumar said the sensitive nature of the case demands a thorough approach, leaving no detail unchecked. The team is tasked with determining whether the SHO’s death was suicide, abetment to suicide, or murder linked to an alleged extortion attempt. Investigators are also examining digital evidence from both officers. Police have seized three mobile phones and four SIM cards linked to Sharma, along with three SIM cards used by Rai. A senior surveillance officer confirmed that call records, chats, and other phone data are being reviewed to trace the pattern of communication between them. Sharma had reportedly been absent from duty for nearly ten days before the incident, and officials are now looking into the reason for this disappearance. Both Rai and Sharma had worked together earlier at the Konch police station before being transferred in early 2025, though Sharma continued living in government quarters in Konch despite her posting with UP-112. As the investigation widens, the family of the late SHO has appealed to the chief minister for a fair and transparent probe. The SIT aims to connect the dots between personal interactions, official duties, and events leading up to the shooting, hoping to bring clarity to a case that has shaken the local police force and raised troubling questions about internal misconduct. The inquiry continues, with police assuring that every angle will be examined until the truth behind SHO Rai’s death is established. SIT Formed to Investigate Mysterious Death of SHO Arun Kumar Rai in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun A serious probe is underway after SHO Arun Kumar Rai was found dead at his residence in Jalaun late on Friday. What first looked like a possible suicide took a sharp turn once his wife, Maya Rai, filed a complaint naming constable Meenakshi Sharma — a colleague — as the person behind his death. Sharma has been arrested and now faces murder charges. The police have set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), with senior officers leading the case. They’ve sealed off the scene, collected digital evidence including phones and SIM cards from both the deceased and the accused, and started checking call logs and messages to understand what really happened. It’s being treated as a complex case, and authorities say they won’t leave any stone unturned. According to sources, Sharma was allegedly pressuring the SHO for a large payment. She was reportedly the first person out of his house after the gun was fired. CCTV footage and phone records are being examined closely to piece together the timeline and motive. Investigators also note that Sharma had been off duty for about 10 days before the incident — a detail that’s now under scrutiny. Rai and Sharma had served together at the same police station until early 2025, before transfers changed their postings. But Sharma continued living in the old police quarters even after the transfer, while working with the emergency response unit. This connection is now being probed as part of the investigation. The family has appealed for a fair and transparent probe, and police assure that the SIT will methodically check all facts — from personal messages and duty records to CCTV and forensic data. The aim now is to find out if this was suicide, abetment to suicide, or a planned murder — and make sure justice is served.