Principal shooter in Umesh Pal murder killed in UP encounter

Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday gunned down a 27-year-old man who allegedly fired the first shot at lawyer Umesh Pal, a key witness in a high-profile murder case whose daylight killing last week sparked a political storm and concerns about law and order.

- K Sandeep Kumar

This is the second time in the space of seven days that a suspect in the sensational murder has been killed in an encounter. On February 27, the police shot dead a 24-year-old man who allegedly helped the killers escape in an encounter in Prayagraj town.

“A shooter involved in the February 24 incident was injured in an encounter with police in Prayagraj. He was rushed for treatment to a hospital, where he died,” additional director general of police, Prashant Kumar, told reporters.

Vijay Chaudhary, also known as Usman, suffered bullet injuries in his neck, chest and thighs during the encounter, said a senior police officer requesting anonymity. He was a resident of Bamokhar village area of Kaundhiyara and carried a cash reward of ₹50,000, said the police.

Chaudhary’s wife Suhani alleged that the police took away her husband and father-in-law in the morning and confiscated their mobile phones. Accusing the police of misusing the law, she said, “The police action is absolutely wrong. The law is not made to kill someone. The law is made to protect people.”

The encounter took place between Gothi and Belwa villages under the Kaundhiyara police station area around 5.30am. A police constable, Narendra Kumar, also sustained injuries in the shoot-out.

“This is a big achievement. We have made it clear that strict action will be taken against those involved (in the killing) and those who hatched the conspiracy,” said Kumar.