Kanpur, Oct 16: Two wanted accused who were absconding in connection with a cow slaughter incident in the Nawabganj police station area were injured in a police encounter in the Fazalganj police station area in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur on Friday.

Police arrested both accused and admitted them to a hospital for treatment. They are being interrogated in connection with the case.

According to police, the cow slaughter incident occurred during the intervening night of October 7 and 8, in the Nawabganj police station area. After cow remains were recovered from the spot, police registered a case under relevant sections of the law.

Teams comprising the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, surveillance, cyber and Nawabganj police were formed to investigate the case. Police arrested one accused on Thursday, while the search for the remaining suspects continued.

On October 16, police received information about the presence of two wanted accused in the Fazalganj police station area. Acting on the tip-off, teams from Fazalganj police station, SWAT, surveillance and the cyber unit jointly launched a search operation and cordoned off the area.

Police claimed that the accused opened fire at the police team with the intention of killing the personnel. In retaliatory firing, both accused sustained gunshot injuries.

The injured accused were subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Atul Srivastava said the accused were being interrogated and that further legal action would be taken based on the facts and evidence gathered during the investigation.

Separately, on October 15, two veterinary officers were suspended over alleged serious negligence in connection with the recent deaths of cattle during heavy rainfall in Badaun.

Departmental action was ordered against the Chief Veterinary Officer, while the Divisional Additional Director was directed to submit a response within 15 days. Suspension and disciplinary action were also recommended against the Block Development Officers of the two blocks concerned.

Virar, Oct 16: A woman died by suicide in Virar, Maharashtra, amid allegations that she was lured with promises of work in the film industry, threatened with the circulation of a private video and blackmailed for nearly Rs 1 Crore, police said.

The woman allegedly consumed pesticide at a public park in Olanda at around 6.30 a.m. on Thursday. Police have launched an investigation based on a suicide note reportedly recovered from the spot.

Senior Police Inspector Satish Nikam of Arnala Sagari Police Station said the deceased, identified as Nanili Joshi, was a resident of J.P. Nagar. In the note, she allegedly accused a man identified as Patki of repeatedly extorting money from her by promising to arrange work for her in the film industry and subsequently threatening to circulate a private video.

According to the police, the note stated that the woman had been in contact with the accused since January. He allegedly promised to help her secure work in the film industry and subsequently developed a relationship with her. During the relationship, some private videos of the woman were allegedly recorded.

The accused then allegedly threatened to make the videos public and demanded money from her, the note reportedly stated.

The note mentions an amount of approximately Rs 1 crore. However, the exact amount allegedly demanded and the money exchanged between the two have not yet been established, police said.

The woman’s brother also alleged in his complaint that she had been in contact with the accused since January and had faced harassment and blackmail over various issues. Police are examining the complaint and investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to Nikam, the accused is believed to be a Mumbai resident and was acquainted with the deceased. His mobile phone is currently switched off, and police teams are conducting searches to trace him. Investigators are also attempting to gather further information about the accused, as the woman’s brother reportedly has limited details about him.

Police have registered a case under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the information provided. The crime scene inspection and other necessary legal formalities have been completed.

Nikam said the investigation was in its preliminary stages and that tracing and arresting the accused, identified as Yogesh Mhapnkar alias Saurabh Patki, was a priority.

Police said further legal action would be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation. The allegations against the accused are yet to be established.

Varanasi, Oct 15: A massive explosion triggered the collapse of a two-storey building in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Thursday, leaving two people injured and a woman trapped under the debris, officials said.

The incident took place in the Paigambarpur area under the Sarnath police station area of Varanasi.

According to preliminary information, an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was operating inside the house. The explosion is suspected to have occurred due to highly inflammable materials on the premises.

Two people were injured in the incident and have been taken to hospital for treatment, while efforts are underway to rescue a woman trapped under the rubble.

Speaking to media, DCP Rajesh Pandey said: “Information was received at 5 p.m. that a two-storey building had collapsed. Upon reaching the spot, we found firecrackers scattered around the place, so it is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers.”

He said that according to locals, a woman is trapped under the debris and a rescue operation is currently underway to pull her out.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite relief operations, NDTV reported.

Further, CM Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured. The officials have also been directed to contact the families of the injured and provide them with all possible assistance.

In August, eleven people were killed, and five others suffered serious injuries after an explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facility in Chilla Shahbazi village, under the Pipri police station area in UP’s Kaushambi.

The UP government had then announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for three absconding suspects wanted in connection with the blast.

Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three absconding accused – Shakeel, Kahaksha Bano, and Adil, said an official statement.

Earlier, as part of action against the accused in the firecracker factory explosion, the police arrested the main accused, Naushad, following an encounter on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan road in the Charwa police station area, an official said.