Love knows no bounds. This age-old adage was amply evident in a bizarre love story in Bihar where a woman constable was smitten by the charm of a most wanted criminal Mithu Shah. The constable, who married the criminal, has been sacked from police service for bringing disrepute to her profession.

The woman cop, Preeti Kumari, was posted as an arms guard in the Mahila police station at Sitamarhi in North Bihar. It was in 2016 when she met Mithu Shah. Bitten by the love bug, she decided to marry him.

The news of a woman constable marrying a criminal (and staying as husband-wife) spread like a wild fire. To verify the authenticity of the report, the Sitamarhi SP ordered a detailed investigation into the case.

When the SP’s officer on special duty (OSD) confirmed the news, the SP suspended Preeti and later transferred her to Bhagalpur.

“During the investigation, it came to light that Preeti shared several confidential information with the most wanted criminal with whom she tied the nuptial knot. Her action eroded public’s faith in the system and brought disrepute to the entire police force,” said a source preferring anonymity.

In the meantime, even as Preeti was transferred from Sitamarhi to Bhagalpur, the departmental proceeding against her started. She was issued a show-cause notice asking her to explain why she should not be sacked from the job for her (mis)conduct.

“Her reply was found to be far from satisfactory. On June 9, the Sitamarhi SP recommended that she be sacked from the police service. A letter to this effect was forwarded to the Bhagalpur Senior SP (SSP) Manoj Kumar under whose jurisdiction she was serving as constable. “The SSP on June 13 issued her termination order,” informed the source.