On October 17, the prime accused in the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra who was killed during Maa Durga Visarjan procession, Sarfaraz alias Rinku, have been reportedly shot in a police encounter near the Nepal border. Sarfaraz, along with another suspect, Talib, sustained bullet wounds during the crossfire and are being transported to the Bahraich Medical College for treatment. Both suspects have been shot in the legs, and no fatalities have been reported as of now.
ADG Law and Order, Amitabh Yash, provided a brief statement, confirming the encounter and arrest of several suspects. “We do not have information about the casualties yet, but the police have arrested five suspects. Two were injured in an encounter,” Yash stated.
According to police sources, the suspects were attempting to flee to Nepal when the Special Task Force (STF) and Bahraich police received a tip-off about their location. Acting on this information, the police intercepted the group near the Handa Basehari canal in the Nanpara Kotwali area. As the officers closed in, the suspects opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. In the exchange, Sarfaraz and Talib were shot, and the police successfully apprehended Sarfaraz’s brother Fahim, his father Abdul Hamid, and another unidentified individual.
The incident has attracted significant attention, especially after a photograph of Sarfaraz holding a gun surfaced a day earlier, fueling concerns about his potential involvement in the murder.
Sarfaraz’s sister, Rukhsar, had also expressed concerns about an imminent encounter, fearing for the safety of her family. In a statement issued earlier, she said, “Yesterday, Wednesday evening at 4 PM, my father Abdul Hamid, my two brothers Sarfaraz, Fahim, and another young man were taken away by the UP STF. My husband and my brother-in-law had already been taken earlier. We have no information about them from any police station. We fear they might be killed in an encounter.”
The murder of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra has left the town of Bahraich reeling. Mishra was shot dead on October 13, 2024, during a violent altercation that erupted during a Durga Visarjan procession.
A video of the tragic incident has surfaced, showing Mishra on the roof of Abdul Hamid’s house, waving a saffron flag. As he attempts to wrap the flag, a gunshot is heard, and Mishra collapses after being struck in the chest. Children’s voices in the background can be heard shouting, “He’s dead… he’s dead, run… run,” adding to the horror of the moment.
Horrific video of Ram Gopal Mishra’s killing in #Bahraich surfaces
Listen to the chants of “Allahu Akbar” in the background pic.twitter.com/oBQhCIiwa0
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) October 17, 2024
This disturbing footage appears to have been captured from the roof of Abdul Hamid’s residence, where the violent confrontation had escalated during the Durga procession. What started as a minor dispute over a DJ playing music near a mosque turned into a full-blown riot when stone-pelting ensued. Mishra, who had climbed onto the roof during the chaos, replaced a green flag with a saffron one, which allegedly further inflamed tensions. As he descended, he was fatally shot.
Police have named Abdul Hamid, his sons Sarfaraz and Fahim, and six others in connection with Mishra’s murder.
The post-mortem report revealed the shocking extent of the brutality inflicted on Mishra. Official sources confirm that he was shot with Abdul Hamid’s licensed gun, and the ordeal did not end there. Mishra was reportedly subjected to electric shocks and other forms of torture, including having his toenails pulled out. His body bore multiple injuries from sharp weapons, and a pointed object had been thrust near his eyes. The electric shocks, which are believed to have caused a brain haemorrhage, along with excessive bleeding, led to his untimely death.
The murder of Ram Gopal Mishra has ignited a wave of outrage, with many calling for justice. The investigation continues, as authorities work to bring all those responsible to justice.
It is pertinent to mention that, Ram Gopal Mishra’s family met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who assured them that strict action would be taken against those responsible. “This act of barbarism will not go unpunished. Justice will be served,” the Chief Minister reportedly told the grieving family.
