AMBEDKAR NAGAR, India — A 95-year-old woman, identified as Indravati Devi, the mother of IPS officer Ashutosh Mishra, was found dead at her ancestral home in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district after her gold jewellery was allegedly looted. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of elderly people living alone in rural areas.
- Indravati Devi, 95, was found unconscious on a cot at her home in the Malipur police station area.
- Her gold jewellery, including a chain, bangles and earrings, was reportedly missing.
- Police registered a case of robbery and murder against unidentified suspects.
- Forensic teams and a dog squad were deployed as investigators examined possible surveillance and local links.
95-year-old woman found dead at ancestral home
Indravati Devi lived alone at the family’s ancestral house, while her son Ashutosh Mishra is posted at the Police Headquarters in Lucknow as SP Headquarters. The incident took place in a village under the Malipur police station area, around 30 kilometres from the district headquarters.
The incident came to light on Sunday morning when a domestic worker arrived at the house at around 9 am. She found Devi lying motionless on a cot inside a room, with traces of blood visible around her mouth.
An initial inspection indicated that jewellery worn by the elderly woman had disappeared. The missing ornaments reportedly included a gold chain, bangles and earrings.
Jewellery missing, limited signs of disturbance
Investigators found that there was no major disturbance or extensive damage to cupboards and other rooms of the house during the initial inspection. The fact that the jewellery was missing has led police to examine whether robbery was the primary motive behind the attack.
However, the precise circumstances surrounding Devi’s death have not yet been established. Police have sent her body for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and establish whether she suffered fatal injuries or was suffocated.
IPS officer reaches village after mother’s death
Ashutosh Mishra travelled from Lucknow to his village after receiving information about his mother’s death and reached the house at around 3 pm on Sunday.
Following a complaint from the family and the IPS officer, Malipur police registered a case against unidentified persons under serious provisions relating to robbery and murder.
Senior police officials reached the scene along with the field unit, forensic personnel and a dog squad. Teams examined the property and surrounding area for evidence that could help identify those responsible.
Police examine local links and surveillance footage
The circumstances of the incident have prompted investigators to examine whether the attackers were familiar with the elderly woman’s routine or had conducted surveillance of the house before the incident.
Police are checking CCTV footage from major roads and routes around the village. Investigators are also examining data linked to suspicious mobile numbers in the area as part of the effort to identify potential suspects.
Several police teams have reportedly been formed to work on the case. Investigators are expected to combine forensic evidence, surveillance footage and other available leads to establish the sequence of events.
Questions over safety of elderly people living alone
The incident has also highlighted the vulnerability of elderly residents who live alone, particularly in rural areas where houses may have limited security infrastructure and access to immediate assistance can be difficult.
In this case, the victim was the mother of a serving IPS officer, adding another dimension to concerns over how criminals were able to target an elderly woman at her home. Police, however, have yet to establish the identity or motive of the attackers.
What happens next in the investigation?
The post-mortem report is expected to provide crucial information about the circumstances of the death. Investigators will also continue analysing forensic evidence, CCTV footage and mobile data while questioning people who may have information about the incident.
Until those investigations are completed, the exact sequence of events and the identity of the perpetrators remain to be established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the incident involving Indravati Devi take place?
The incident took place at the ancestral home of 95-year-old Indravati Devi in a village under the Malipur police station area of Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
What evidence are investigators examining?
Police are examining forensic evidence from the house, CCTV footage from nearby routes and mobile-number data, while a dog squad and specialised teams have also been involved in the investigation.
Source attribution: The information in this report is based solely on the material supplied for publication.
