Prayagraj: A man wanted for the alleged murder of his brother-in-law was injured in a police encounter and later arrested, along with his cousin, in UP’s Pratapgarh district late Wednesday.Police said, four cousins of an eight-month pregnant woman allegedly shot dead her 30-year-old husband Raju Singh on Monday night. Raju and the woman had eloped and got married in Aug 2025. Her family was against the marriage as Raju belonged to a different caste.Police registered a murder case against the four cousins based on a complaint by the victim’s family, said circle officer (sadar) Karishma Gupta.A joint team of SWAT unit and Jethwara police launched a checking operation near Gajrahi bridge after receiving intelligence about the movement of the accused, Pinto Verma alias Chandesh, and Tej Bahadur Verma alias Teje of Khatwara. When the suspects were surrounded, they allegedly opened fire on the police team, prompting retaliatory firing. Pinto sustained a bullet injury.He has been admitted to the district hospital. Tej was arrested after a brief chase. Both carried a reward of Rs 25,000 each. A .315-bore country-made pistol, one live cartridge, one spent cartridge and a motorcycle were recovered from the spot. Cousin Arun Verma has already been arrested while search for Jitendra Verma alias Jeetu is underway.
