LUCKNOW: A 32-year-old gym trainer accused in a triple murder case was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Police in Bulandshahr early Thursday morning.
Police identified the deceased as Jeetu Saini, the main accused in the shooting of three of his friends during a birthday celebration at a gym on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. He had been absconding since the incident, and a reward of Rs 50,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.
Bulandshahr Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Singh confirmed Saini’s role as the key accused in the case and said efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
According to police sources, the incident occurred after an argument broke out between two groups during the birthday party and escalated into firing by Saini and his associates, killing three men. The victims — Amar Saini, 26; Manish Saini, 23; and Akash Saini, 22 — were members of the same family and were shot in the head.
So far, police have arrested five accused in connection with the case and sent them to jail, including three individuals apprehended in earlier encounters.
Officials said the dispute reportedly began over smearing cake on the gym trainer’s face, which turned violent. Preliminary inquiry indicated that the altercation quickly escalated into gunfire.
During the encounter, Inspector Mohammad Aslam and Head Constable Mohit Kumar sustained bullet injuries and were taken to a Community Health Centre along with Saini. He was later referred to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead during treatment.
Police said the condition of the injured personnel is stable. Bullets also struck the bulletproof jackets of Inspector Ramphal Singh and Head Constable Kapil Nain during the exchange of fire.
A resident of Punjabbiyan locality, Saini belonged to a well-off family that owns sweet and garment shops in Khurja Nagar. He worked as a part-time gym trainer and was also involved in property dealing. His younger brother Ravi is also wanted in the case.
Police said Saini had been named in two earlier cases in 2018 and 2023, including charges of causing death by negligence and violations under the SC/ST Act.
An illegal .32 bore pistol, live and used cartridges, and a two-wheeler were recovered from the encounter site. A combing operation is ongoing to trace the remaining suspects, police added.
