In a significant development, the prime accused in the ambush and killing of a 22-year-old groom during a wedding procession was shot dead in an encounter with police near Ranimau in Jaunpur early Monday. The accused, identified as Ravi Yadav, was gunned down after he opened fire on a police team, injuring a police officer.
According to Jaunpur Superintendent of Police Kunwar Anupam Singh, acting on a tip-off about the movement of criminals in the Khetasarai police station area, a team from Line Bazar police station laid a cordon near the Ranimau turn and attempted to stop two bike-borne men. On finding themselves surrounded, the suspects opened fire on the police team. In the exchange of fire, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Line Bazar police station sustained a bullet injury to his hand, while another bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of a constable.
During retaliatory firing by the police, Ravi Yadav was shot, while his accomplice managed to flee. Police seized a firearm from Ravi and rushed him, along with the injured policeman, to the hospital, where doctors declared the accused dead.
The incident dates back to May 1, when Azad Bind’s wedding procession left Badaur village for Bibpur Jamdaha. As it reached Badshahi Bazar, the midway point, three masked men on a motorcycle overtook the groom’s vehicle and blocked it. Before Azad or others could grasp what was happening, the men fired indiscriminately at him and sped off towards Jaunpur. Azad was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors referred him to the district hospital as his condition turned critical. He later died during treatment.
Initial investigation revealed that another prime accused, Pradeep Bind, has a long criminal history and has been named in other murder cases. He had a rivalry with the victim for local dominance. After learning that Azad was set to marry a girl from his extended family, Pradeep had allegedly threatened to kill him on the wedding day.
Police had registered a case against seven persons in connection with the matter. Three accused were arrested after an encounter on the night of May 4. A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each had been announced on Pradeep Bind, Ravi Yadav and Bhole Rajbhar. Police teams are conducting raids for two others at multiple locations, including Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Sultanpur. Earlier, eight people were also held for helping the killers escape.
Details of the Encounter
The police team, acting on a tip-off, laid a cordon near Ranimau turn in the Khetasarai police station area. Two bike-borne men were intercepted, and when they found themselves surrounded, they opened fire. The SHO of Line Bazar police station sustained a bullet injury to his hand, and a bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of another cop. In the retaliatory fire, Ravi Yadav was shot dead.
Investigation and Arrests
Police have registered a case against seven persons. Three accused were arrested after an encounter on May 4. Cash rewards of Rs 1 lakh each were announced for Pradeep Bind, Ravi Yadav, and Bhole Rajbhar. Raids are ongoing for two others in Delhi, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Sultanpur. Eight people have been held for aiding the killers.
The victim, Azad Bind, was a 22-year-old groom whose wedding procession was attacked on May 1. The prime accused, Pradeep Bind, had a rivalry with the victim and had threatened to kill him. The encounter has brought some closure to the family, but the search for other accused continues.
