Drunk UP Cop Shoots at Noida Gym Owner, Family Says Firing 'Without any Reason'

Lucknow: A sub-inspector in Noida shot at two men in Noida on Sunday night, which the victim’s family claim was “without any reason”. The victim is in a critical state and undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

Sub-inspector Vijay Darshan allegedly accosted 25-year-old Jitendra Yadav and his friend Sunil near Noida Sector 122 police chowki while they were returning from a wedding.

There were three other friends of Yadav who were accompanying him in a car when the policeman approached them and got into an altercation.

“There could be some personal reason behind the firing as the two were known to each other. Also, the sub-inspector was under the influence of alcohol and he has been arrested,” said Noida SSP Luv Kumar. Kumar met the family at the hospital on Sunday and assured them of a fair probe.

Family members of the victim said that the accused police officer used to visit a gym that is owned by Yadav. They further alleged that Darshan shot at Yadav for no apparent reason.

Kumar further added, “Besides sending the accused trainee sub-inspector to jail, the role of three other policemen, two constables and a sub-inspector is being investigated. The four policemen have been suspended with immediate effect. We have seized the service revolver of the sub-inspector who fired the shots and have sent him to jail."

Meanwhile, opposition Samajwadi Party did not waste any time in grabbing the opportunity to lash out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party has alleged that UP Police is killing innocent people for self-promotion and the two men were victims of ‘fake encounter’.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson, Pankuri Pathak tweeted, “Innocent man named Jitendra Yadav shot in the neck in another failed encounter bid by @noidapolice in Noida. @UPGovt trying best to keep the issue from media. He is fighting for his life in Fortis Hospital. @Uppolice officers shooting innocents for promotions. Plz RT. (sic)”

As many as 24 criminals have been arrested and one killed in 15 police encounters reported in 10 districts over the past few days. The encounters were mainly reported from Muzaffarnagar, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Kanpur, Baghpat and Bulandshahar.