In a shocking turn of events, Kakori police have arrested Mahendra Kumar (28), a 2018-batch police constable, and his wife Ankita (24), also known as Deepika, for allegedly orchestrating the brutal murders of two men, Manoj Lodhi (25) and Rohit Rajput (26). The police also recovered the murder weapon and the mobile phones used in the crime. Mahendra’s two brothers-in-law and a nephew, who were reportedly involved in the conspiracy, remain on the run.
The incident occurred on March 21 when Manoj and Rohit, both residents of Pankheda, Kakori, were found murdered near Barkatabad Pulia. Investigations revealed that Ankita and Manoj had been in a relationship since school days and intended to marry. However, Ankita’s family arranged her marriage to Mahendra, who was posted as a constable at Lakhimpur Kheri Police Lines in June 2021.
After the marriage, Mahendra’s frequent absences led Ankita to reconnect with Manoj through phone calls. On December 24, 2024, Mahendra discovered their affair and warned Ankita to end the relationship. Despite the warning, their affair continued, leading Mahendra to feel betrayed. In anger, Mahendra gave Ankita an ultimatum to choose between him and Manoj. When Ankita chose Mahendra, they began plotting Manoj’s murder in February.
To avoid suspicion, Mahendra and Ankita used new SIM cards to communicate with Manoj. Mahendra, who was posted in Ayodhya, carefully devised a plan to execute the murder while traveling back to Lakhimpur Kheri, making his movements appear normal.
On March 21, Mahendra instructed Ankita, her two brothers, and his nephew to carry out the plan. Ankita lured Manoj to Barkatabad Pulia by calling him repeatedly. When Manoj arrived on his motorcycle with his friend Rohit, Mahendra and his accomplices ambushed them and killed Manoj with a sharp object. Fearing that Rohit, who was an old friend of Mahendra, might expose the plot, they also decided to murder him.
