Police have arrested Suresh Gupta in connection with the murder of Preeti Rawat, a 32-year-old AIIMS Rishikesh employee, in what investigators describe as a case driven by a troubled relationship and escalating disputes. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in the case that shook Rishikesh late Saturday night.

According to police, Preeti Rawat was living alone in a rented room in the Shivaji Nagar area of Rishikesh and worked as an assistant at AIIMS. She was divorced and had been in a relationship with Suresh Gupta for some time. On Saturday night, Suresh allegedly shot Preeti dead and fled the scene.

Following the incident, police registered a murder case based on a complaint filed by Preeti’s father, Bachchan Singh Rawat, and launched an extensive search operation. On Monday, the accused was arrested from Chhutmalpur in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Preliminary investigations have revealed disturbing details about the relationship. Police said Suresh was keen to marry Preeti and had divorced his wife around four months ago for this purpose. At Preeti’s insistence, he also sold his ancestral property in Laksar, Haridwar, and was searching for a house in Rishikesh so the couple could live together.

However, Suresh reportedly failed to find a suitable property in Rishikesh, which became a major source of conflict between the two. Investigators said tensions escalated as Suresh felt he had sacrificed his marriage and property but was not getting the outcome he expected. These disputes allegedly pushed him toward the fatal act.