Mathura, July 14 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, the Mathura Police arrested two alleged history-sheeters and murder accused following an encounter, officials said on Tuesday.

The two accused sustained bullet injuries to their legs during retaliatory firing by the police and were subsequently admitted to the district hospital for treatment, officials said.

According to police, the operation was launched after the Nauhjheel police received specific information at around 10:30 p.m. on July 13 that two men wanted in a murder case registered under Sections 103(1) and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were present in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, the police team set up a blockade near the culvert connecting the villages of Shall and Kolahar at the Pahchara Saddikpur canal distributary.

Officials said the accused were travelling on a motorcycle when the police attempted to intercept them.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police team with the intention of escaping and causing harm to the officers. In response, the police retaliated in self-defence, during which both accused sustained bullet injuries to their left legs before being overpowered and taken into custody.

The accused have been identified as Satendra alias Satte (38) and Moti (49), both residents of the Nauhjheel area of Mathura district. Police said Satendra, alias Satte, is also a listed history-sheeter at the Naujheel police station.

During the operation, police recovered a number plate-less motorcycle, whose engine and chassis numbers had allegedly been tampered with.

Officers also seized two country-made .315 bore pistols, four live cartridges, three empty shell casings and Rs 2,600 in cash from the possession of the accused.

According to police records, both arrested men are alleged to be habitual offenders with multiple criminal cases registered against them.

Satendra alias Satte is facing 20 criminal cases lodged at various police stations in Mathura and Aligarh districts for offences including robbery, theft, murder, provisions of the Gangsters Act and previous police encounter cases.

Police further said that Moti also has a criminal record, with seven cases registered against him. These include charges related to attempted murder, robbery and offences under the Gangsters Act.

Following their arrest, both accused were transferred to the district hospital for medical treatment while in police custody.

Officials said further legal proceedings are being carried out against the accused by the police team led by Nauhjheel Station House Officer (SHO) Anjeesh Kumar, while the investigation into the case is continuing.

–IANS

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