Police officer ends life after shooting wife dead

, Feb 25: A police officer, who was suspended yesterday after a verbal spat with a local court judge, allegedly shot dead his wife and left two of his children injured before committing suicide by shooting himself in Bastar district of

today.

Jagdalpur City Superintendent of Police Devnarayan Patel (40) shot himself with his service weapon after gunning down his wife Pratima (35) at his official residence in Shaket Colony in Jagdalpur in the wee hours. Son Aryan (6) and daughter Puja (11), who were also shot at, have been hospitalised, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Arun Dev Gautam told PTI. Patel's wife Pratima died on the spot while the children sustained severe bullet injuries and have been admitted to Ramkrishna Care Hospital in Raipur, the IG said.

No suicide note has been recovered from the spot so far and prima facie nothing could be established as a reason behind the incident, the IG said, adding further investigations are on. Patel was suspended yesterday following a verbal spat with Additional District Judge, Bastar, A Toppo on Sunday, the IG said. Sources in the police department said Patel was apparently disturbed over his suspension which led him to take such an extreme step.

PTI