Stabbing accused held after entering hospital in disguise to check victim

TNNBhopal: A man accused of repeatedly stabbing a labourer in Gwalior allegedly entered a hospital disguised as a woman to check whether the victim had survived the attack, but was recognised by the injured man’s wife and arrested.Police said Dharmendra Bhadauria allegedly attacked 32-year-old labourer Devendra Maurya with a knife following an argument near Gudha-Gudhi Naka on Saturday night.Devendra suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest,abdomen, neck and hands and was admitted in critical condition to the 1,000-bed JAH Hospital.Investigators said Dharmendra later became worried that Devendra might die, leading to a murder charge against him.

To avoid being identified, he allegedly wore a salwar-suit and entered the hospital’s surgical ward on Sunday to check on the victim’s condition.However, Devendra’s wife, Rachna Maurya, recognised him from his build and raised an alarm. Hospital security personnel and attendants caught the accused as he attempted to flee and handed him over to police.Police said the attack took place after Devendra and two associates,Dharmendra Bhadauria and Pappu Bhadauria, consumed alcohol following unloading work. An argument reportedly escalated into violence, with the two men allegedly attacking Devendra with a knife before fleeing.Police said Dharmendra has been arrested and booked along with PappuBhadauria on charges including attempted murder.

The second suspect remains absconding. Devendra continues to undergo treatment.