Rakabganj loot, murder: 9 police teams look for clues in six districts

LUCKNOW: The police team, working on a loot and murder case in Lucknow’s Rakabganj market area on Thursday, have zeroed in on 14 criminal gangs with similar modus operandi.

Four armed assailants had barged into in a Pan Masala agency in Rakabganj and looted cash. When chased by one of the employees, Subhash Gupta, a miscreant open gunshot on his chest, who later succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

Lucknow police have constituted nine teams, which are looking for four assailants in six districts.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Lucknow, Sujit Pandey said, “Nine teams, including three electronic surveillance teams, have been pressed into the job of nabbing the culprits.”

“The incident has similarities with four other incidents, including Ambedkarnagar bank heist in August last year and another AP Sen Road, Hussainganj murder in September last year,” he added.

“Vehicle registration numbers even matches with that of used by robbers in AP Sen murder case, where a Railway employee was shot dead by two bike-borne armed assailants,” said Pandey, adding, “Even gloves, shoes, helmet, scarf are identical.”

“Fourteen gangs with similar modus operandi are under scanner,” he said. Teams have also been sent to some jails, he added.

Another cop, privy to the probe said, “After committing the crime, culprits on two bikes escaped through Rakabganj Street, Mashak Ganj in Lucknow.”

Meanwhile, traders on Friday kept their shops closed till the noon and held a meeting, protesting against the daylight loot.

On Thursday, chief minister had announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2lakh to the family of deceased, while traders on Friday demanded Rs 5 lakh to each of two daughters of the deceased.

Four cops, including two subinspectors, were suspended for laxity in duty.