Police in Greater Noida have arrested two men following a dramatic gunfight, linking them to the brutal assault and murder of a gym trainer in a case stemming from alleged road rage and group rivalry. The incident, which has stirred tensions in Kaimrala village, saw the suspects open fire on police officers before being subdued and hospitalized.
Dramatic Arrest After Exchange of Fire
On Tuesday, the two accused were intercepted by police personnel during routine checks near the Jarcha underpass. Additional DCP (Greater Noida) Sudhir Kumar stated that when officers tried to stop them, the duo attempted to flee. A chase ensued, during which the suspects allegedly opened fire at the pursuing cops.
In retaliatory firing by the police, both men sustained bullet injuries to their legs. They were subsequently taken to the District Hospital for treatment and are now in police custody. From their possession, authorities recovered two country-made pistols and several live cartridges.
The Fatal Night of Road Rage and Violence
The arrested individuals have been identified as Prashant alias Sittu, a resident of Kaimrala village, and another man named Prashant from Nizampur village in Sikandrabad. They are accused of being involved in a violent altercation that led to the death of Harkesh, a recovery agent who also worked as a gym trainer.
According to the police investigation, the crime occurred around 1:30 am on Monday. The accused were allegedly drinking alcohol inside a car when Harkesh, on his way home, arrived in his vehicle. An argument broke out over moving the car aside, which rapidly escalated into a severe assault. Harkesh's friend, Mohit, was also injured in the incident and is currently undergoing treatment.
Underlying Rivalry and Village Tensions
Preliminary findings suggest the incident was not an isolated road rage episode but was fueled by deeper issues. "The incident stemmed from intoxication, a show of dominance, and an ongoing rivalry between the two groups," revealed a senior police officer. Intriguingly, both groups had participated in a cricket match earlier on the day of the incident.
Investigations further revealed that both the accused and the victim were involved in recovery-related work, primarily dealing with funds received as compensation for land acquisition. Some of these funds were also channeled into informal finance activities.
The murder triggered significant unrest in Kaimrala village on Monday, with residents staging a protest demanding the arrest of the culprits. A heavy police force was deployed to maintain order, and Harkesh's last rites were performed later in the evening under tight police security.
Past Shadows and Ongoing Probe
The police probe has uncovered a potentially violent past for one of the accused. Prashant alias Sittu had earlier surfaced as a suspect in the murder of a history-sheeter in Chakrasenpur village two years ago. However, no formal case was registered at that time due to a compromise reached during a village panchayat.
Initially, an FIR was registered against five persons. However, investigations later confirmed the involvement of another individual, bringing the total number of youths present in the accused's car during the incident to six. Police have stated that further investigation is underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
