8-yr-old-girl-s-murderer-killed-in-police-encounter-in-agra

A man accused of murdering an eight-year-old girl and hiding her body inside a drum was killed in a late-night police encounter in Agra on Friday. A Sub-Inspector injured during the exchange of fire is currently under treatment and reported to be in stable condition, officials said.

 

According to police, the accused, identified as Sunil, had been absconding since the crime came to light earlier this week. A reward of Rs 25,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.

 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Syed Ali Abbas said that an extensive search operation had been launched, involving nearly 70 police personnel. Investigators reviewed over 250 CCTV footage clips and conducted multiple raids. In an effort to track the suspect, 22 individuals—including family members, relatives, and acquaintances—were detained and questioned.

 

Acting on specific intelligence late Friday night, police teams carried out checks in the Bamrauli Katara police station area. As officers attempted to intercept him, the accused allegedly opened fire upon spotting the police cordon.

 

During the exchange, Sub-Inspector Vishwajeet Rana sustained a gunshot injury. Police retaliated in self-defence, critically injuring the accused. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

 

Police recovered a motorcycle, a country-made pistol, six spent cartridges, and three live rounds from the spot.

 

The case relates to the disappearance of an eight-year-old girl on March 24 from the Tajganj area. The child, daughter of a shoe businessman from Siddharth Nagar, was reported missing and, after 28 hours, her body was discovered concealed inside a flour drum in a rented room where the accused had been living.

 

Police said the victim had been killed and her body hidden in the container. Following the discovery, a case was registered against the accused and his family members, while he remained on the run until the encounter.

 

Authorities have sent the body for post-mortem examination and confirmed that a magisterial inquiry into the encounter will be conducted as per procedure. The motive behind the crime is still under investigation.