After Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder, Uttarakhand Nurse Raped, Killed on Way Home; Accused Arrested

Dehradun: Amid nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, another harrowing incident has surfaced from Uttarakhand. A 33-year-old nurse from Nainital was allegedly raped, smothered, and robbed, sparking fresh concerns over women’s safety.

The nurse, who worked at a private hospital and lived with her 11-year-old daughter in Bilaspur Colony, had been missing since July 30. Her family filed a missing report the following day in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar district. Over a week later, her body was found in an abandoned plot in Dibdiba, Uttar Pradesh, and was sent for a post-mortem.

On Wednesday, a significant breakthrough was achieved when police arrested Dharmendra, a labourer from Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly. He was apprehended in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Dharmendra allegedly lured the nurse to a secluded area where he raped and strangled her before robbing her jewellery.

Police tracked Dharmendra through CCTV footage that captured the nurse’s last moments in a tempo. The victim’s stolen mobile phone also provided crucial leads. During interrogation, Dharmendra confessed, revealing his intent to rob her, which escalated into rape and murder to avoid being caught.