Prayagraj: A man carrying a Rs 25,000 reward on his arrest was shot in the leg in a police encounter and arrested in Kaushambi late Saturday in connection with a cattle slaughter case registered earlier this month. Police said the accused allegedly opened fire at the police team during an attempt to flee, prompting retaliatory firing.The case came to light on July 14 after a local informed Charwa police that cattle remains had been found in his lemon orchard near Gugwa Bagh in Pahadpur Sudhwar village. Police collected samples from the spot and conducted a veterinary examination before launching an investigation.According to police, Kaushambi Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan constituted multiple teams to identify and arrest those involved. During the investigation, evidence gathered through local enquiries, CCTV footage and technical surveillance led police to the accused.Acting on a tip-off, a Charwa police team reached a road near Malak Nagar on the intervening night of July 18 and 19, where the suspect, identified as Moinuddin alias Irfan, a resident of Panara Gopalpur village under Sarai Akil police station, was allegedly hiding. Police said the accused opened fire while attempting to escape after being surrounded. In retaliatory firing, he suffered a bullet injury to his leg and was overpowered.Police recovered a .315-bore country-made pistol, two empty cartridges and one live cartridge from his possession. He was later taken to the district hospital in Manjhanpur for treatment.During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to his involvement in the cattle slaughter incident that took place on the night of July 10-11 near Gugwa Bagh. He also allegedly admitted involvement in another similar incident in the Sarai Akil area on June 24, police said.Police said efforts are underway to arrest his accomplices, while further legal proceedings are in progress.
