The Uttar Pradesh police suspended on Sunday four personnel after a trainee sub-inspector allegedly fired at two men in Noida Sector-122 the previous night, amid swirling concerns over rising encounters in the state. The trainee sub-inspector, Vijay Darshan, was also sent to jail.
Family members of one of those who suffered injuries said it was a fake encounter, an allegation the police denied and said personal enmity was behind the incident.
UP DGP OP Singh has sought a detailed report on the shooting and ordered strict action against the erring cop after investigations are over. "Investigations have revealed that the trainee sub-inspector knew the elder brother of one of the men who was shot… We are verifying everything," Noida SSP Love Kumar told at a press conference.
The service revolver of the sub-inspector, who fired the gunshots, has been confiscated and the role of the other three was being investigated.
Family members of Jitendra Yadav (25), who was shot in the neck, alleged the police targeted the two men because of their caste. They said Yadav and three others were returning from Bahrampur at around 10:30pm when the police stopped their vehicle and opened fire.
Yadav is said to be a gym trainer and is undergoing treatment at Fortis Hospital in critical condition. The other man suffered injuries on his leg. Yadav was returning home in Parthala village from a function. He is said to have no past criminal record.
Yadav's family members and villagers held a demonstration, forcing Union Minister Mahesh Sharma to rush and pacify them. He assured action against erring cops. The minister also ordered free treatment and compensation to the victim's family.
"We were asked to get out of the vehicle and surrender. When we said that we are not criminals, a sub-Inspector whipped out his pistol and shot at Jitendra. First we thought the shot was fired in the air but when we saw blood, we panicked and requested the police to take him to hospital," said one of Jitendra's friends.
The eye-witness further alleged that after shooting Jitendra, the sub-inspector called up someone and told him that an encounter has taken place, and a criminal has been shot.
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