In a significant breakthrough, the Baragaon police in Varanasi successfully solved a murder case this Friday, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Gomti Zone, Akash Patel, announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for the police team responsible for cracking this challenging investigation.
A Fatal Altercation on Christmas Day
The incident traces back to December 25, when a violent fight erupted near Dayalpur village in the Baragaon area. The clash involved individuals including Ramu Yadav and Abhishek Yadav. During the confrontation, gunshots were fired, injuring Ramu Yadav and Sameer Singh. Tragically, Sameer Singh succumbed to his injuries, while Ramu Yadav is currently recovering. Following the incident, a formal case was registered at the Baragaon police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Investigation: A Complex Puzzle with Few Clues
Given the gravity of the crime, DCP Akash Patel formed a special team to investigate. The case presented immediate difficulties: no clear motive, no established connection between the victims, and no identification for the shooters. Police probed various angles including old enmities, business rivalries, and potential gang violence.
The probe faced a major setback due to a lack of visual evidence. There were no helpful private CCTV cameras in the immediate vicinity, and the gram panchayat's solar-powered CCTV cameras were non-functional reportedly due to four consecutive cloudy days. Despite these hurdles, officers examined footage from over 100 cameras, questioned more than 100 people, and employed electronic surveillance techniques.
The turning point came when investigators obtained a recording from a private camera located some distance from the crime scene. While the video was unclear, the audio evidence proved crucial, revealing names that led police to specific suspects.
Breakthrough and Confession
On Friday, the police team apprehended the three accused: Karan Prajapati from Kharhariya Wari, Premshankar Patel from Kaniyar Narayanpur, and Shubham Maurya (alias Lalu Maurya) from Kharawan. All three have prior criminal records, with cases registered against them at police stations in Baragaon, Chaubepur, Rohaniya, and Lslpur Pandeypur.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the sequence of events. They revealed that on December 25, they were returning from Jansa with associates Pawan Kumar Pal and Akash Pal after a social gathering involving alcohol. While stopping near Dayalpur village, a vehicle accidentally ran over Akash Pal's foot. This triggered a violent response, with Akash and the others assaulting the vehicle's occupants.
As villagers began to gather, the situation escalated further. The group pulled out firearms and fired warning shots. One of their associates, Sandeep, shot Ramu Yadav. While fleeing the scene, they also shot Sameer Singh and snatched his motorcycle to make their escape.
The arrests bring a measure of closure to a case that tested the investigative capabilities of the Varanasi police, highlighting their persistence in the face of limited evidence and a complex web of events.
