550 wordsLucknow: The Lucknow zone’s police has secured convictions in 328 criminal cases under the ‘Operation Conviction’ campaign being run on the directions of director general of police, UP.Between Jan 1 and May 10, 2026, districts falling under the Lucknow zone — Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Raebareli, Hardoi, Unnao, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar and Amethi — achieved significant success in securing convictions in serious criminal cases.Additional DG, Lucknow zone, Praveen Kumar said the initiative focuses not merely on registration of FIRs and filing of chargesheets, but on ensuring convictions through sustained monitoring, quality investigation, timely production of witnesses and evidence, and effective perusal before courts. Scientific evidence, forensic reports and prosecution coordination played a key role in securing convictions in several heinous offences.“Special emphasis was laid on crimes against women and children, murder cases, organised crime, gangster-related offences and NDPS Act cases. Officials said the coordinated efforts of police, prosecution and courts helped ensure stringent punishments in many sensitive and serious cases,” said Kumar. He also credited Lucknow range IG, Kiran S, and DIG Faizabad range, Somen Barma.Sitapur double murderA Sitapur court awarded the death penalty to accused Neeraj in a double murder case registered at Mishrikh police station. On Feb 11, 2022, he allegedly killed his wife Maya over suspicion regarding her character and also murdered his two-year-old son Piyush. His brother Suresh was seriously injured while trying to intervene.Barabanki Pocso caseIn Barabanki, accused Dhaniram was awarded life imprisonment for raping his 11-year-old niece under Subeha police station limits. The case was registered under IPC and Pocso Act sections, and the conviction was secured on the basis of scientific evidence and victim statements.Ayodhya murderSeven accused persons were sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case under Kotwali Bikapur police station in Ayodhya. The accused had allegedly beaten Vivek Verma to death in 2022 due to old enmity.Raebareli murderIn Raebareli, accused Ramgopal Mali and Leelawati received life imprisonment in the murder case of the complainant’s daughter-in-law. The court also imposed a fine of Rs3.1 lakh.Kheri murderIn Lakhimpur Kheri, accused Ayodhya Prasad alias Shri Krishna was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his wife Avadesha Devi with a spade during a domestic dispute in Apr 2024.Unnao murderFour accused were awarded life imprisonment in Unnao for assaulting Vinod Kashyap during a monetary dispute, leading to his death.Hardoi murderIn Hardoi, three accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case in which Vijay alias Pappu was shot dead in 2008 due to criminal rivalry.Ambedkar nagar dowry murderFive accused in Ambedkar Nagar were awarded rigorous life imprisonment for allegedly killing a woman over dowry and stridhan demands.Sultanpur murderIn Sultanpur, accused persons received life imprisonment for fatally assaulting a man during a dispute over money under Kotwali Nagar police station limits.Amethi Murder CaseIn Amethi, accused in a murder case registered at Sangrampur police station were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs90,000.‘Operation Conviction’ is helping ensure that victims receive justice within a time-bound framework while also creating deterrence against crime. The campaign has strengthened public confidence in policing through quality investigation, scientific evidence collection, prosecution support and effective court monitoring, said Kumar.
