Badaun: Police injured the main accused in the double murder of two officials of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited during a brief encounter on Friday morning. The accused, contractor Ajay Pratap Singh, was shot in both legs and later taken to the district hospital for treatment.

The victims, DGM Sudhir Gupta (55) and Assistant Manager Harshit Mishra (35), were shot dead earlier this week at the company’s plant in Badaun.

Accused Shot During Weapon Recovery Operation

According to Circle Officer Dr. Devendra Singh, the accused had hidden the weapon used in the killings in a nearby forest after the crime. Police took him to the location early Friday morning to recover the firearm.

During the search, Ajay Pratap allegedly pulled out a loaded country-made pistol from the bushes and opened fire at the police team. Police retaliated, injuring him in both legs. Officers then carried him to a vehicle and rushed him to the district hospital.

Police Negligence Alleged in the Case

The incident has also exposed alleged negligence by Badaun police. Ajay Pratap Singh was an outsourced employee who had a contract to supply crop residue (parali) to the plant. His firm was later blacklisted and he was removed from work.

Following this, he had reportedly been threatening DGM Sudhir Gupta for nearly three months. On February 4, Gupta had filed an FIR at Musa Jhaag police station, stating that Ajay was repeatedly threatening him and even following him.

Fearing for his safety, Gupta had applied for voluntary retirement (VRS) five years before his scheduled retirement. His last working day was supposed to be March 31. Assistant Manager Harshit Mishra had also applied for a transfer, but the accused killed both officers before any action could be taken.

New DGM Witnessed the Attack

On Thursday, the newly appointed DGM Lokesh had arrived from Mumbai to take charge at the plant. The attack reportedly occurred in his presence. Shocked by the incident, police escorted him to Bareilly airport from where he returned to Mumbai.

Following the double murder, authorities suspended the station in-charge Ajay Kumar and sub-inspector Dharmendra Kumar for failing to act despite the earlier complaint.

Local residents claim the accused was an influential person in his village with political connections, which allegedly prevented police from taking action earlier.

Post-Mortem Findings Reveal Brutal Attack

Post-mortem reports revealed that Sudhir Gupta had two bullets lodged in his chest, while Harshit Mishra was shot on the left side of the chest, with the bullet piercing through his heart.

Families Break Down in Grief

Late Thursday night, Sudhir Gupta’s wife Rashmi Gupta, son Aarush, and father Kailash arrived in Badaun from Noida. Seeing the body, Rashmi broke down and clung to her son while crying. His father-in-law also wept.

Rashmi said her husband had been planning to spend more time with the family after stepping away from work, but his life was cut short by the attack.

Meanwhile, Harshit Mishra’s parents also reached the post-mortem house late at night. His mother Rani broke down while holding her husband Sunil’s hand. When women tried to console her, she said through tears, “How can I stop crying? My son is gone.”