Lucknow: A wanted criminal carrying a ₹1 lakh bounty was killed in a police encounter early on Saturday morning in Lucknow, after allegedly opening fire on a police team. He was the prime accused in the murder of builder Sandeep Singh, who was shot dead in the PGI area on May 27.

The deceased, identified as Sanjay alias Sanjeev, was a native of Ambedkar Nagar district and had been accused in several serious criminal cases, including multiple murders, registered across Ambedkar Nagar, Basti and Ayodhya districts.

Police had been searching for him for several weeks, particularly in connection with the recent murder of a builder in Lucknow.

According to police, the encounter took place on Indira Canal Road in Lucknow during an operation to trace and arrest the accused. Officials said Sanjeev was intercepted by the police in the early hours of Saturday, but instead of surrendering, he opened fire on the police personnel.

Police said they retaliated in self-defence, during which Sanjeev sustained bullet injuries. He was immediately taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Lucknow for treatment, where doctors declared him dead.

Officials said Sanjeev was the prime accused in the murder of builder Sandeep Singh, who was shot dead in Lucknow’s PGI area on May 27.

His name surfaced during the course of the investigation, following which police announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his arrest.

The murder of builder Sandeep Singh had drawn significant attention in Uttar Pradesh due to its alleged links to an old rivalry and a property dispute.

During the investigation, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) stated that the killing was the result of a long-standing enmity and a land dispute, and that a contract worth Rs 5 lakh had allegedly been given to eliminate the builder.

Police have already arrested several accused in connection with the murder conspiracy. However, Sanjeev, who was identified as the main accused in the case, had remained absconding despite sustained search operations until Saturday’s encounter.

Officials also said that Dinesh Yadav, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Sandeep Singh, had already been arrested earlier and remains lodged in jail.

Further details are awaited.

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–IANS