Prayagraj: A wanted criminal was injured and arrested in an exchange of fire with the police near Bargadwa Baba road under limits of Lalganj police station of Pratapgarh district late on Tuesday night. The injured criminal, identified as Prakash alias JP alias Ram Jiyanvan Verma (26), a resident of Musaphir Khana road (Amethi) was admitted at district hospital, Pratapgarh for treatment. Police said that 16 criminal cases including loot and murder are pending against the criminal in different districts including Amethi, and Pratapgarh.
Acting upon a tip off that the kingpin of an inter-district robber’s gang was moving towards Lalganj block to execute a crime, a joint team of Lalganj police and SWAT intercepted a biker near Bargadwa Baba road and police asked to surrender. The criminal opened fire on a police party and a criminal was injured in exchange of fire. Police also recovered a country made pistol of 0.
315 bore along with two used and two live cartridges, a bike, Rs 21,580 cash , gold and silver jewellery worth lakhs, wrist watch, and other valuables near the spot. The criminal was moving to dispose of stolen articles when police intercepted him. A senior cop said, “ Injured criminal told police that he along with his accomplices had executed two thefts on August 18 and 19 at Umapur road and Manipur road under the limits of Lalganj police station.
He added, “Prakash alias JP alias Ram Jiyavan Verma was involved in major theft incidents reported in Amethi, Pratapg.