Lucknow, July 17: The prime accused in the murder of a sub-inspector, Jitendra Singh Tewatia, was killed in an encounter with police on Friday.
Gaurav Gupta was shot dead in an encounter with a joint team of Lucknow and Lakhimpur police in the wee hours this morning, official sources said here.
Acting on a tip off, the joint team intercepted a motorcycle near National College in Hazratganj area. The motorcyclists, in an attempt to flee from the spot, opened fire on the police party, which retaliated.
Gupta was killed in the encounter while his accomplice managed to escape, the sources said.
Police recovered a 9 mm pistol from Gupta, who they claimed was a history sheeter of Lakhimpur police and carried a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for his arrest.
Gupta had over a dozen cases registered against him in Lakhimpur, police claimed.
SI Tewatia, who was posted at Lakhimpur police station, was shot dead by six motorcycle-borne youths on July 10, while he had gone to Gemini circus along with his two colleagues.
The Lakhimpur police arrested two youths Munna alias Imran and Monty aka Ashish Tiwari on July 12.
The two motorcycles used in the murder were recovered.
–Agencies