Lucknow — In a shocking incident, a 30-year-old delivery man, Bharat Sahu, was allegedly murdered after delivering an iPhone worth ₹1.5 lakh to a customer in Lucknow. The delivery was made through the Cash on Delivery (COD) payment option from Flipkart. Authorities confirmed that the victim’s body was disposed of in the Indira Canal, prompting a search operation by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
Details of the Incident
The police reported that the incident occurred on September 23, when Bharat Sahu, a resident of Nishatganj, was assigned to deliver the iPhone to a man named Gajanan in Chinhat. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shashank Singh, Gajanan and an accomplice allegedly killed Sahu during the delivery. The duo reportedly strangled him, placed his body in a sack, and disposed of it in the Indira Canal.
The motive behind the murder appears to stem from the intention to avoid payment for the expensive smartphone. Gajanan had ordered the iPhone with the understanding that he would pay the delivery agent in cash upon receipt of the product. However, this transaction took a deadly turn.
Family’s Concern and Missing Persons Report
After Sahu failed to return home for two days, his family grew increasingly worried and registered a missing persons complaint at the Chinhat police station on September 25. Concerned relatives informed the authorities that Sahu had not returned from his delivery assignment, prompting police to launch an investigation.
Police Investigation
In their efforts to locate the missing delivery man, police began scrutinizing Sahu’s call records and digital footprints. During this investigation, they discovered that Gajanan was in contact with a friend named Akash. Police summoned Akash for questioning, which ultimately led to a breakthrough in the case.
During interrogation, Akash confessed to being involved in the crime, revealing details of the murder and the disposal of Sahu’s body. This confession has provided law enforcement with crucial information as they work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
Search for the Victim’s Body
Despite the progress in the investigation, Sahu’s body has not yet been located. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to assist in the search efforts within the Indira Canal. The authorities are hopeful that the search will yield results soon, allowing the victim’s family to have closure.
Community Shock and Awareness
The horrific nature of this crime has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns about the safety of delivery personnel, especially when making high-value deliveries. This incident highlights the potential dangers faced by delivery agents in the growing e-commerce sector, emphasizing the need for greater security measures and awareness for individuals working in this field.
As e-commerce continues to thrive in India, cases like this underline the risks associated with cash transactions, particularly in high-stakes deliveries. Authorities are being urged to establish better protocols to ensure the safety of delivery personnel, including implementing stricter verification processes for high-value transactions.
The Lucknow police are committed to pursuing justice for Bharat Sahu and ensuring that those responsible for his untimely death are held accountable. As the investigation unfolds, updates regarding the search for his body and further details about the case will be closely monitored by both the community and the media.
As this tragic story continues to develop, it serves as a reminder of the risks associated with cash transactions in the digital age. The case also calls for collective efforts from law enforcement, e-commerce companies, and society to safeguard those working tirelessly to deliver goods in a rapidly evolving marketplace.