In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Police apprehended two notorious inter-district criminals, each carrying a reward of Rs 25,000, following an early morning encounter in the Kotwali area of Bhadohi district on Monday. The arrested individuals have been identified as Shivam Bharatiya and Monu Tiwari, both residents of Prayagraj.
The Morning Operation and Tip-off
The dramatic events unfolded when a combined team from the Aurai police station and the Special Operations Group (SOG) was conducting routine checks on suspicious persons and vehicles. Their location was approximately 100 meters away from the Ugapur canal culvert on the road towards Gyanpur. According to Bhadohi Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Manglik, the police team received specific intelligence indicating the presence of the two wanted criminals in the immediate vicinity.
Exchange of Fire and Arrests
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the police officers cordoned off the area to prevent the suspects from escaping. However, the situation escalated when the cornered criminals opened fire on the police party. The police team, following standard protocol, exercised their right to self-defence and retaliated with controlled firing.
In the ensuing exchange, Shivam Bharatiya sustained a gunshot wound below the knee on his left leg. He was provided immediate medical assistance and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Aurai for treatment. His accomplice, Monu Tiwari, was arrested from the spot without any injury.
Recoveries and Criminal History
A subsequent search of the arrested duo and their belongings led to significant recoveries. The police seized several items of evidence, including:
- One .315 bore pistol
- One live cartridge
- One empty cartridge
- A knife allegedly used in a previous criminal incident
- A black motorcycle without a registration number plate
The police revealed that Shivam Bharatiya has a particularly extensive criminal record, with more than 18 cases registered against him across various districts including Bhadohi and Prayagraj. Both criminals were active inter-district offenders wanted in multiple police jurisdictions.
To ensure a thorough investigation, the forensic team and the field unit visited the encounter site. They meticulously inspected the crime scene and collected all pertinent physical evidence to build a strong case for prosecution.
This successful operation highlights the continued vigilance of the Uttar Pradesh Police in tracking down and neutralizing active criminal elements operating across district boundaries, enhancing security in the Varanasi and Bhadohi region.
