SITAPUR, Uttar Pradesh – Eight alleged members of an extortion gang were arrested in Sitapur district after they reportedly attacked a police team during an operation on the night of Aug. 19-20, 2026. Police recovered three illegal firearms, ammunition, and 10,500 Indian Rupees (approximately $126 USD) in cash, which authorities say was part of illegally extorted money.
The arrests were made by the Naimisharanya police team under the direction of Sitapur Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal and the leadership of Circle Officer Misrikh. The operation targeted suspects wanted in connection with Case No. 141/2026, filed under sections 308(5) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the team had strategically surrounded a garden near the Bibipur-Atwa Road, close to Lekhnapur village, where the suspects were hiding. Upon seeing the police, the accused allegedly opened fire with intent to kill after being warned to surrender. Police, demonstrating what they described as "exemplary courage," managed to encircle and apprehend all eight individuals.
Arrested Individuals and Recoveries
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Golu alias Akib, son of Manju, resident of Aurangabad, Naimisharanya.
- Shashikant, son of Pappu, resident of Phoolpur Jharia, Naimisharanya.
- Prashant Kumar, son of Rajaram, resident of Kakraiya, Maholi.
- Shivank, son of Lekhram, resident of Phoolpur Jharia, Naimisharanya.
- Sufiyan, son of Sattar Khan, resident of Atwa, Naimisharanya.
- Gufran, son of Gaffar, resident of Atwa, Naimisharanya.
- Vikas, son of Ramlal, resident of Aurangabad, Naimisharanya.
- Shoaib alias Sameer alias Baba Pathan, son of Ajmal, resident of Aurangabad, Naimisharanya. Police identified Shoaib as the main conspirator and scout for the extortion gang.
Recovered items include:
- One .315 bore country-made pistol with one spent cartridge in the barrel and one live cartridge from Golu.
- One .315 bore country-made pistol with one misfired cartridge in the barrel and one live cartridge from Prashant.
- One .32 bore country-made pistol with one live cartridge in the barrel and one live cartridge from Gufran.
- Cash totaling 10,500 rupees, reportedly the remaining amount from money extorted from Satyaprakash Maurya on Aug. 17, 2026.
Modus Operandi and Further Action
During interrogation, the accused admitted to extorting money by intimidating people after conducting reconnaissance in various areas. Shoaib alias Sameer was allegedly responsible for surveillance and alerting the gang about police movements. Police said Shoaib was arranging a vehicle for the group to flee after they learned about the registered case concerning the Aug. 17 incident.
New charges have been filed under Case No. 142/2026, sections 109(1)/3(5) BNS and 25(1-b) Arms Act, for the attack on the police team and illegal possession of weapons. Additionally, section 317(2) BNS has been added to the original Case No. 141/2026. Shoaib alias Sameer alias Baba Pathan has been identified as the main conspirator in the case.
Golu alias Akib has a prior criminal record (Case No. 104/2024 under IPC sections 323, 452, 504, 506). Gufran also has a criminal history (Case No. 153/2024 under BNS sections 115(2), 126(2)).
