A history-sheeter with a Rs 1 lakh bounty on his head was killed in a police encounter with the Ganj police in Rampur on September 26. The accused, Zubair alias Kalia, was wanted in Gorakhpur in connection with the murder of 19-year-old NEET aspirant Deepak Gupta, linked to a case involving cow theft and slaughter.
BIG BREAKING 🚨 Mohammad Zubair, main accused in the murder of NEET student Deepak Gupta in Gorakhpur, killed in a UP STF encounter in Rampur
He had many cases against him, a ₹1 lakh reward
He was involved in cow smuggling & selling beef in Muslim areas pic.twitter.com/WJORYlBb5s
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) September 26, 2025
Zubair was intercepted on the road between Chaku Chowk and Mandi, where he opened fire on the STF team pursuing him. In the retaliatory firing, he was shot and later taken to the district hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Sub-inspector Rahul Jadaun and constable Sandeep Kumar were also injured during the exchange of gunfire. Senior officials, including the Circle Officer (City), arrived at the scene to maintain law and order.
Zubair, son of Firasat alias Naurangi from the Gher Mardan Khan locality in Rampur, had a lengthy criminal history with at least 18 cases registered against him across Rampur, Gonda, Balrampur, and Gorakhpur. His offences included cow slaughter, theft, burglary, cheating, and serious charges under the Arms Act and Gangsters Act. According to police, he had been absconding for several months, frequently changing hideouts across eastern Uttar Pradesh to evade arrest.
Police sources revealed that Zubair’s name emerged during the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder of 19-year-old NEET aspirant Deepak in the Pipraich area of Gorakhpur on September 16.
Deepak was abducted and beaten to death by cattle smugglers after villagers confronted them. So far, four accused, Ajab Hussain, Chhotu, Raju, and Rahim, have been arrested in connection with the case. A reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for Zubair’s arrest. Authorities are now investigating whether Zubair’s gang provided logistical support or was directly involved in the smuggling operation that resulted in the murder.
DIG Shivasimpi Chanappa, along with the STF unit, coordinated investigations across multiple districts. “Zubair’s arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling the wider cattle smuggling syndicate operating across eastern Uttar Pradesh,” a senior police official said. Authorities have also confirmed that Zubair’s properties and assets will be thoroughly investigated as part of the ongoing crackdown on organised crime.
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