Varanasi: The prime accused in the ambush and killing of a 22-year-old groom during a ‘baraat’ procession on May 1 was shot dead in an encounter with police near Ranimau in Jaunpur early Monday. During the exchange of fire, the SHO of Line Bazar police station also sustained a bullet injury to his hand, while another bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of a cop.Jaunpur SP Kunwar Anupam Singh said that, acting on a tip-off about the movement of criminals in the Khetasarai police station area, a team from Line Bazar police 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, one policeman sustained a bullet injury to his hand, while a bullet struck the bulletproof jacket of a cop,” Singh said.During retaliatory firing by the police, one of the accused, identified as Ravi Yadav, was shot, while his accomplice managed to flee, the SP added. Police seized a firearm from Ravi and rushed him, along with the injured policeman, to the hospital, where doctors declared the accused dead.Azad Bind’s wedding procession left Badaur village for Bibpur Jamdaha on the evening of May 1. 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, police said.Initial investigation found 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.
