On the morning of December 12, 2024, a chilling murder case sent shockwaves through Baldevpuri, under the jurisdiction of Katghar police station in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The victim, 45-year-old Bhuri Prajapati, was found dead in her home, and her suspected murderer, Aslam Ansari alias Aslam Khan, fled the scene. By evening, police apprehended the accused following an encounter.
According to police and media reports, the victim, Bhuri Prajapati, had been in contact with the accused, Aslam Ansari, for about a year. Bhuri, a mother of three who earned her livelihood running a fruit and vegetable cart, allegedly invited Aslam to her home on the night of December 11, 2024. Bhuri’s husband was attending a wedding that evening at her behest, as she had asked him to return home the following morning.
Bhuri reportedly locked her three children in a room on the ground floor before going upstairs with Aslam. Later that night, Aslam allegedly strangled Bhuri to death and fled the scene. The following morning, her children’s cries for help alerted neighbours, who entered the house and discovered Bhuri’s lifeless body.
The Katghar police launched an investigation, confirming through the post-mortem report that Bhuri had been strangled. Based on a complaint filed by Bhuri’s husband, an FIR was registered, naming Aslam as the prime suspect. Two police teams were formed to track him down.
A First Information Report (FIR number: 708/24) was registered at Katghar police station on December 12, based on which the accused was booked under section 103(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
#SSP @moradabadpolice @satpal_IPS के निर्देशन में थाना कटघर पुलिस द्वारा दि0 11/12.12.2024 की रात्रि में थाना कटघर क्षेत्रांतर्गत एक घर में घुसकर महिला की हत्या करने के शातिर अभियुक्त असलम अंसारी को घटना करने के 12 घंटे के अंदर पुलिस मुठभेड में किया गया गिरफ्तार।#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/kzijlmjlPp
— MORADABAD POLICE (@moradabadpolice) December 12, 2024
By Thursday evening, the police cornered Aslam near the Rafatpura flyover. During the encounter, Aslam sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. He was subsequently arrested, and police recovered a pistol and a bike from the scene.
SP City stated, “The accused was taken into custody after an encounter and has been sent to jail. The case is under further investigation, and we have secured strong evidence based on witness statements and physical evidence.”
The victim’s husband and children provided critical information, confirming Aslam’s visit to their home on the night of the murder. The children reportedly stated that they had seen Aslam arrive before being locked in their room. According to neighbours, Bhuri and Aslam’s interactions had been a subject of quiet speculation in the locality for months.
The police investigation revealed that Bhuri’s relationship with Aslam began approximately a year ago, raising questions about the dynamics leading up to the tragic incident. The motive behind the murder is still being examined, with law enforcement officials exploring personal and financial disputes as potential triggers.
