Key accused in 70yo woman’s murder held after police encounter

BIJNOR: A key accused in connection with the robbery and murder of a 70-year-old woman in Bijnor’s Sherkot police station area, was arrested Sunday after a police encounter. The man sustained a bullet injury to his leg and is undergoing treatment.The case came to light on Saturday, when Kashmiri Devi’s body was found near Afzalgarh–Sherkot highway. Police noticed serious injuries on her face and launched an investigation checking CCTV footage and surveillance. Probe revealed that Kashmiri, a resident of Kalagarh, had gone to Dhampur to purchase medicines. While returning, she accepted a lift from the accused, identified as Zeeshan, on his motorcycle.He allegedly took her to an isolated location, robbed her and fatally attacked her with a stone before fleeing. Technical evidence helped police identify him as a resident of Nondha village in Nahtaur area.Police said when the accused was taken to the crime scene to recover the weapon, he opened fire at the team after retrieving a country-made pistol. Police fired in self-defense, injuring him in the leg before arresting him.The deceased’s mobile phone, Rs 2,000 in cash, a pistol, cartridges, the stone used in the crime, and the motorcycle involved have been recovered. SP (East) AK Srivastava said further legal proceedings are underway.