Prime Accused In Temple Priest Murder Case Killed In Unnao Police Encounter

The prime accused in the killing of a temple priest was shot dead in a police encounter in the early hours of Monday in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, officials said. The accused, identified as Israel alias Izrail (36) , carried a ₹1 lakh reward on his arrest and had been absconding since the June 9 murder.

Police said a joint team of local police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) received intelligence around 3:40 am that the accused was near the Tajpur underpass in Bangarmau area. During checking near the Agra-Lucknow Expressway service road , the team intercepted him and asked him to surrender.

Instead, he allegedly opened fire, hitting a sub-inspector’s bulletproof jacket and injuring SOG constable Vikas Bhadauria in the hand. In retaliatory firing , the accused was shot and later declared dead at a community health centre in Bangarmau. A .315 bore country-made pistol , two spent cartridges and a knife were recovered.

The case relates to the killing of priest Sant Ram Miland Das, also known as Baba Milan Das, who was stabbed to death at an under-construction temple on June 9. According to FIR details, the priest was allegedly called to a local “ahaata” before being attacked with a knife during a sudden altercation.

Police said a five-member accused group was identified in the case, of which three were arrested on June 11 , while two, including Izrail, were absconding. The knife used in the murder was also reportedly recovered from the accused.

Following the killing, tension erupted in the area. Authorities also demolished a structure linked to local corporator Ateeq Khan , whose role is under investigation but who has not been named as an accused.

The victim’s family said there was no known enmity , while police continue to probe the motive and wider conspiracy behind the murder.