Police arrested the main accused in the Chitrakoot gang-rape case after an encounter less than 48 hours after the crime. The accused, identified as Jitendra alias Bhola, carried a reward of ₹50,000. He suffered a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire, while a police constable also sustained injuries. Two other accused remain on the run.
Police Arrest Main Accused After Encounter
A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) tracked down Jitendra alias Bhola in the Madfa forest under the Bharatkoop police station area of Chitrakoot.
According to police, the accused opened fire after officers surrounded him. Police returned fire, injuring him in the leg before taking him into custody. Constable Raghvendra Rajput also suffered a gunshot injury during the operation. Doctors admitted both to a community health centre before shifting them to the district hospital for further treatment.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the law and order situation in UP and demanded strict action against the accused, including an encounter if they resisted arrest. Less than 48 hours after the crime, UP Police arrested the main accused, Jitendra alias Bhola, following an encounter, while the search for the remaining two suspects continues.
Crime Took Place Near Devangana Airport Valley
The incident took place on July 22 near Devangana Airport Valley in Chitrakoot. A 20-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district had gone to the area with her 17-year-old friend.
Police said three men arrived on a motorcycle, claimed they were forest officials, and started questioning the couple. When the pair refused to pay money, the accused assaulted the boy, tied his hands and legs, and took the woman into nearby bushes, where two of them allegedly raped her before fleeing.
CCTV and Surveillance Helped Crack the Case
Police launched a large-scale search immediately after the complaint. Investigators analysed CCTV footage, electronic surveillance data, and local intelligence to identify the suspects within 48 hours.
The survivor and her companion also identified the accused from photographs shown by investigators. Police first announced a reward of ₹25,000 for each accused and later increased it to ₹50,000.
Hunt Continues for Two More Accused
Police recovered two illegal .315-bore country-made pistols, live cartridges, and the Hero HF Deluxe motorcycle allegedly used in the crime from the encounter site.
Chitrakoot Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Singh said investigators are questioning the arrested accused and conducting raids to trace the two remaining suspects. Police said they expect to arrest them soon.
