LUCKNOW: Two police officers were suspended, and inquiries ordered by Hathras authorities after two individuals arrested in an alleged shootout were released due to lack of evidence.
The two individuals released on Saturday were earlier arrested by Hathras police for alleged robbery and attempted murder, with FIRs filed under the Arms Act and relevant sections at Mursan police station.
Additional SP Ashok Kumar Singh confirmed that closure reports were filed for both cases due to insufficient evidence, and the two accused have been released from jail.
Circle Officer Yogendra Krishna Narayan said closure reports were filed due to insufficient evidence but the case may be reopened if new evidence emerges.
The incident sparked controversy with victims’ families alleging a fake encounter, claiming the two—one a minor and Sonu alias Omveer (30)—were taken from their homes.
On October 9, Hathras Police registered an FIR based on a complaint by fertilizer trader Amit Kumar Aggarwal, who alleged that two armed men entered his house intending to steal. The men threatened his wife and elderly mother before fleeing when employees and neighbors arrived.
Sonu’s father, Raj Veer Singh, said their families had known Amit Aggarwal for over 25 years. He claimed Sonu gave Rs 3 lakh to Amit three months ago to procure fertilizer. On October 9, a dispute arose over the price, with Amit demanding Rs 1,800 instead of Rs 1,600 per packet. Amit then called Sonu to his house to discuss the matter privately. On the way, Sonu picked up the minor boy, who was headed to a tuition class.
On October 10, Hathras Police and an SOG team detained Sonu’s cousins and the boy’s father, demanding Sonu and the boy be handed over, alleging their involvement in a robbery seen on CCTV.
Veer Singh claimed police demanded Rs 5 lakh, promising release, and later released the detainees. The families accused police of torturing Sonu and the boy, with Sonu reportedly shot in the leg. The family protested outside Mursan police station and met officials demanding action. The boy’s uncle said the boy was only getting a lift to tuition. Amit Aggarwal’s brother denied the Rs 3 lakh advance claim, stating Sonu and Ajay owed money and never sought fertilizer.
Speaking to media persons, Mursan police station’s Station House Officer (SHO), V. P. Giri, said the suspects were identified based on CCTV footage and other manual inputs.
Police claimed the suspects were apprehended following cross-firing, during which Sonu sustained a bullet injury to his leg. They also said they recovered a weapon from their possession.
Hathras District Magistrate Rahul Pandey has constituted a committee headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to examine the allegations.
In a parallel move, Deputy Inspector General (Aligarh Range) Prabhakar Chaudhary instructed the Additional Superintendent of Police, Aligarh, to conduct an independent inquiry into the matter.
Superintendent of Police, Hathras, Chiranjeev Nath Sinha, had earlier suspended SHO Arti Singh of Mursan police station and Inspector Mukesh Kumar, in-charge of the Anti-Theft Team, on charges of negligence during the arrest proceedings of the two accused.
