Two men arrested in UP's sultanpur over engineer’s murder following police encounter

LUCKNOW: Hours after the murder of Jal Nigam executive engineer Santosh Kumar, Sultanpur police arrested two key accused, a contractual assistant engineer and his accomplice, following an encounter early Sunday.
Amit Kumar, 30, and Pradeep 28, were planning to flee to Bihar via Varanasi Road from the Dubepur intersection, said Sultanpur superintendent of police Somen Barma.“Based on the information, the police set up a blockade. Around 2am, the suspects were spotted and asked to surrender. Instead, they opened fire, forcing the police to retaliate in self-defence,” Barma claimed.
During the exchange of fire, both Amit, a resident of Madhubani, and Pradeep, from Sasaram district in Bihar, sustained injuries. They were immediately taken to the district hospital and are currently receiving treatment. Further legal proceedings are underway, said the SP.
On August 17, Amit Kumar, along with an accomplice, visited Santosh Kumar’s rented home in Vinoba Puri Colony near the Jal Nigam office. They instructed Santosh’s driver, Sandeep, to bring ‘dahi-jalebi’ from a nearby shop.
Upset over adverse report, Amit killed Jal Nigam engineer: Probe
Upon returning an hour later, Sandeep found Santosh tied to a chair, gagged with tape, and being brutally assaulted by the two men.
When Sandeep raised an alarm, the attackers fled. Santosh was r ushed to a local medical college by San deep and neighbours, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Santosh hailed from Ballia and owned a house in Prayagraj, where his family resides. He has left behind his wife, Malti Kumar (40), and two daughters, Shavi (9) and Shivanshika (11).
A preliminary police investigation revealed that Santosh Kumar had expressed dissatisfaction with Amit Kumar’s work performance prior to his death.
Ten days earlier, Santosh had written to the executive director, requesting Amit’s removal due tomisconduct, indiscipline, and issuing threats.
On August 7, Santosh Kumar wrote to the State Drinking Water and Conservation Mission, outlining Amit’s negligent behaviour in overseeing drinking water projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Santosh’s brother, Sanjay Kumar, informed the police that Santosh had prepared a 250-page chargesheet against an agency involved in the Jal Jeevan Mission, which was set to be blacklisted. Sanjay suspected thatAmit, in collaboration with others, plotted his brother’s murder as retaliation for the investigation and a payment dispute. Amit has a history of professional disputes. While stationed in Sonbhadra district, he faced similar controversies.
“He was a very dedicated worker who loved his job. He lived in a rented house and always rewarded hardworking juniors. Many times, he would cancel his leave to join work,” said Santosh’s wife, Malti.