UP: Two arrested, main suspect surrenders in Ballia murder case; admin demolishes illegal properties

Jul 23, 2024

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 23 : Two persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man in front of the Bansdih Kotwali gate in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police said on Tuesday.
The victim, Rohit Pandey, was attacked and killed by miscreants on Saturday.
The arrests follow a stern rebuke from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and have led to further action, including the demolition of illegal properties associated with the suspects.
The police arrested two suspects with bounties of Rs 25,000 each on their heads and forwarded them to judicial custody, while the main suspect, Rohit Yadav, surrendered in court along with an associate, officials said in a release.
Meanwhile, the district administration demolished the houses of the main suspect and his two associates, as parts of their houses were built on PWD land. Additionally, two constables were suspended for allegedly having connections with the accused, the release added.
On Saturday, a gang of youths attacked Rohit Pandey in front of the Bansdih Kotwali Gate during a fight for supremacy, killing him with sharp weapons. Based on a complaint, the police named six individuals in the case and filed an FIR against several unknown persons.
Following this, locals of the area staged a protest outside the SP office demanding arrests.
During a review meeting in Azamgarh on Monday, MLA Ketki Singh informed CM Yogi about the incident. The CM reprimanded officials and ordered strict action.
Consequently, the police announced a Rs 25,000 reward for each named suspect.
During a raid, police arrested two suspects: Ankit Yadav, son of Shukul Yadav from Daranv, and Omprakash Yadav, alias Prakash Yadav, son of Ramesh Yadav from Pindhara. Meanwhile, Rohit Yadav, alias 'Rider', son of Bhuteshwar Yadav from Daranv, and Shekhar Yadav, son of Kamlesh Yadav from Daranv, surrendered in court.
Officials said that they would continue with raids to arrest the remaining suspects, Jawahar Gond, son of Vijay Gond from Pindhara, and Dharmendra Yadav, alias Bagi Yadav, son of Raja Yadav from Daranv.
The administration has demolished the houses of the main accused, Rohit Yadav, and his associates, Shekhar Yadav and Ankit Yadav.
SDM Bansdih stated, "Parts of the houses of all three accused were built on PWD land, which has been razed. The houses of the other accused are being measured with the help of the revenue team, and further action will be taken based on the findings."
Bansdih CO Prabhat Kumar added, "Four teams were formed to arrest the murder suspects. Two have already been apprehended, and multiple SOG surveillance and police teams are pursuing the remaining suspects."
On Tuesday, the house of the main accused, Rohit Yadav alias Rider, which was built on government land along the road, was measured and found to be illegally constructed. His illegal construction has been demolished, and the illegal properties of the other accused are being identified.
Additionally, two constables, Aslam and Dheeraj Maurya, who had friendly relations with the accused, have been suspended.
The Additional Superintendent of Police North has been ordered to conduct a departmental inquiry to identify the negligent officers who failed to take timely preventive action. Action will be taken against the accused under the Gangster Act and NSA.