Agra jeweller’s murder accused killed in ‘encounter’, bro held

Agra: Four days after a 55-year-old jeweller was shot dead during a robbery in Agra's Sikandra area, the prime accused was killed in a "police encounter" on Tuesday. His 18-year-old brother has been arrested, while a third suspect remains at large. Police said the motive for the robbery was to repay a debt of Rs 5 lakh.The slain man was identified as Aman Kumar (23), a resident of Jagdishpura in Agra. He did various odd jobs, and even worked as painter and security guard. His younger brother, Sumit Kumar, who recently appeared for Class 12 board exams, is in police custody. The third accused, Farukh Khan, is absconding. Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.Police commissioner Deepak Kumar said, "Aman was shot during an operation on Tuesday morning. He was taken to an under-construction building in Sikandra to recover the stolen jewellery when he snatched a service weapon from an officer and attempted to fire at the police. He was told to surrender, but he refused, prompting the police team to open fire in self-defence. He was critically injured and declared dead at SN Medical College.""The National Human Rights Commission of India has been informed and a magisterial inquiry has been initiated as per protocol," the commissioner said.The trio allegedly shot dead Yogesh Chaudhary, owner of Balaji Jewellers located at Kargil crossing, during a robbery at his showroom on May 2. They decamped with gold and silver jewellery. Police said the accused entered the store around 11:55 am and held a salesgirl at gunpoint. As they were escaping, they encountered Chaudhary outside the shop and when he tried to stop them, they shot him dead. The victim is survived by his wife, Urmila Devi, 52, and two sons – Ashish, 36, and Sagar Chaudhary, 32."Over 1,000 CCTV cameras were scanned across the city to trace the accused. Aman and Farukh fled the scene on a motorcycle without a number plate, while Sumit left separately," said a police officer privy to the case. "During interrogation, Sumit revealed that the family was under severe financial stress, with debts exceeding Rs 5 lakh. They were even planning to sell their house for Rs 3 lakh to repay the loans," the police officer said.Officials said the stolen goods, including gold jewellery, the motorcycle and the illegal weapon used in the crime have been recovered. The exact value of the jewellery will be determined after an assessment. An FIR was registered based on a complaint by the victim's son under BNS sections 103(1) (murder), 309(6) (robbery), 317(4) (possession of stolen property) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.Agra: Four days after a 55-year-old jeweller was shot dead during a robbery in Agra's Sikandra area, the prime accused was killed in a "police encounter" on Tuesday. His 18-year-old brother has been arrested, while a third suspect remains at large. Police said the motive for the robbery was to repay a debt of Rs 5 lakh.The slain man was identified as Aman Kumar (23), a resident of Jagdishpura in Agra. He did various odd jobs, and even worked as painter and security guard. His younger brother, Sumit Kumar, who recently appeared for Class 12 board exams, is in police custody. The third accused, Farukh Khan, is absconding. Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.Police commissioner Deepak Kumar said, "Aman was shot during an operation on Tuesday morning. He was taken to an under-construction building in Sikandra to recover the stolen jewellery when he snatched a service weapon from an officer and attempted to fire at the police. He was told to surrender, but he refused, prompting the police team to open fire in self-defence. He was critically injured and declared dead at SN Medical College.""The National Human Rights Commission of India has been informed and a magisterial inquiry has been initiated as per protocol," the commissioner said.The trio allegedly shot dead Yogesh Chaudhary, owner of Balaji Jewellers located at Kargil crossing, during a robbery at his showroom on May 2. They decamped with gold and silver jewellery. Police said the accused entered the store around 11:55 am and held a salesgirl at gunpoint. As they were escaping, they encountered Chaudhary outside the shop and when he tried to stop them, they shot him dead. The victim is survived by his wife, Urmila Devi, 52, and two sons – Ashish, 36, and Sagar Chaudhary, 32."Over 1,000 CCTV cameras were scanned across the city to trace the accused. Aman and Farukh fled the scene on a motorcycle without a number plate, while Sumit left separately," said a police officer privy to the case. "During interrogation, Sumit revealed that the family was under severe financial stress, with debts exceeding Rs 5 lakh. They were even planning to sell their house for Rs 3 lakh to repay the loans," the police officer said.Officials said the stolen goods, including gold jewellery, the motorcycle and the illegal weapon used in the crime have been recovered. The exact value of the jewellery will be determined after an assessment. An FIR was registered based on a complaint by the victim's son under BNS sections 103(1) (murder), 309(6) (robbery), 317(4) (possession of stolen property) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.