Magisterial Probe Ordered in Sultanpur Police Encounter of Wanted Criminal

Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh:
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the controversial encounter of a highly wanted criminal, Talib alias Azam Khan, in Sultanpur. The District Magistrate (DM), Kumar Harsh, has appointed SDM Sadar, Vipin Dwivedi, as the inquiry officer to conduct a detailed investigation into the case.

Public Notice for Evidence Submission

The SDM has issued a public notice inviting anyone with information, evidence, statements, or documents related to the encounter to present them at the SDM office on any working day before 5 February.

Details of the Encounter

The encounter occurred on 5 January in the Lambhua police station area. A joint team of Sultanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri police had surrounded Talib, who, according to police reports, opened fire on the officers. The police retaliated, resulting in a gunfight.

Talib was initially taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) and later referred to Sultanpur Government Medical College, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Criminal Profile of the Deceased

The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Talib alias Azam Khan, resident of Gauriya, Pharahan police station, Lakhimpur Kheri district, son of Gaffar Khan. Talib was a notorious criminal with over 17 cases registered against him, including cow slaughter, robbery, vehicle theft, and gangrape. A reward of ₹1 lakh had been announced for his capture.

According to police, Talib was traveling to Varanasi on a motorcycle with an accomplice during the encounter. The accomplice managed to escape from the scene. Police recovered a .32 bore pistol and a .315 bore revolver from Talib’s possession. The post-mortem report confirmed that Talib sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest, as verified by a panel of three doctors.

Magisterial Inquiry Initiated

In light of public interest and questions surrounding the encounter, authorities have initiated a magisterial inquiry to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Talib’s death.