Meerut, Jan 30 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh Police have booked an occultist for abetting the suicide of a constable, posted in the security of state Minister Suresh Rana.

Ashish Kumar, 28, a 2011 batch Uttar Pradesh Police constable, was deployed as a gunner in the security of state Minister Suresh Rana and was currently posted at the Police Lines in Shamli district.

His body, bearing a bullet wound in the head, was found on the outskirts of his native village in Meerut's Mawana area on Tuesday morning.

Superintendent of Police (rural) Meerut, Avinash Pandey, told local reporters that the call detail record (CDR) of the constable's mobile phone revealed that he was in constant touch with a Muzaffarnagar-based occultist, Mohammad Fayyaz.

Ashish Kumar's family also confirmed his association with the occultist.

Fayyaz, during interrogation, said: "Ashish never told me that he was married. Instead, he was in love with another woman who was being married elsewhere. I gave him some 'tabeez' and some material to burn. This was supposed to draw that woman's attention towards him and also to give him some peace of mind. I had charged Rs 1,000 for my services."

According to police, Kumar was on three-day leave from January 26.

The deceased constable had got married a year ago, but the marriage soon ran into trouble and his wife had registered a case of domestic violence against her husband and in-laws.

According to sources, both the sides agreed for a settlement in the case for Rs 22 lakh, part of which was already paid to the girl's side.