Main Accused in NEET Aspirant's Murder Killed in Police Encounter in Uttar Pradesh

An encounter erupted with the suspect Zubair while traveling from Chaku Chowk towards Mandi area in Rampur.

Rampur authorities have confirmed that the primary suspect in the murder of NEET candidate Deepak Gupta from Gorakhpur was killed during a police encounter on Saturday.

The deceased suspect was identified as 26-year-old Zubair, also known as Kalia, a cattle smuggler residing in Gher Mardan Khan within the Kotwali police station jurisdiction. He had been carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head, according to police reports.

Police officials stated that the encounter occurred Friday night on the route between Chaku Chowk and Mandi within Rampur district's Ganj police station area.

Moradabad Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Muniraj G informed reporters that during a routine police checkpoint operation, officers spotted two individuals approaching on a motorcycle. When officers attempted to halt them, the suspects refused to stop and opened fire on the police.

The DIG further reported that Sub-Inspector Rahul Jadon and Constable Sandeep Kumar sustained injuries during the exchange. Zubair suffered gunshot wounds from police return fire and was subsequently transported to the district hospital for medical attention.

Medical personnel at the hospital later pronounced him dead.

Both Rampur and Gorakhpur police departments had been actively searching for Zubair, who stood accused of killing 19-year-old Deepak Gupta in Gorakhpur's Pipraich police station area on September 16. The incident occurred when Deepak attempted to prevent smugglers from stealing livestock. The victim had been preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Zubair had accumulated 18 criminal cases across multiple districts including Rampur, Balrampur, Gonda, and Gorakhpur. His criminal record included charges of animal cruelty, cow slaughter, attempted murder, and murder.