Udham Singh Nagar, August 15: A week after the body of a nurse from a private hospital in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district was found in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, police arrested Dharmendra Kumar, a daily wage labourer, in Jodhpur. The 25-year-old nurse was reportedly robbed, raped and murdered while returning home after her shift on July 30. The incident comes amid the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case.

According to police, Dharmendra intercepted the woman as she traveled to her village. Despite her fierce resistance, she was overpowered, assaulted, and strangled. The next day, her sister filed a missing person report. On August 8, her body was discovered in an empty plot of land. Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: FORDA Resumes Strike After Mob Vandalism at RG Kar Medical College.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath T.C. said the investigation led them to Rajasthan, where the nurse's phone was tracked. CCTV footage also showed the accused following her. Dharmendra, a resident of Bareilly, had no prior connection to the victim. After committing the crime, he fled with her belongings. ‘Disturbing Attempts to Cover Up Crime’: Swati Maliwal Writes to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Over Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case, Requests Her to Ensure Full Cooperation to CBI.

"The accused is a drug addict and did not know the woman. On the day of the incident, he saw her walking alone and decided to attack," SSP Manjunath explained. The police have recovered the clothes worn by Dharmendra during the incident, as well as his mobile phone and SIM card. The accused has confessed to the crime.

This incident comes amid ongoing protests over the recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, which has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for justice.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2024 08:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).