A senior police officer Suneet Kumar Singh from Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district has reportedly been suspended after an audio recording of him talking to a criminal about his "impending encounter" went viral earlier.
Singh, in an eight-minute long audio recording, is allegedly heard telling Lekhraj Yadav – accused in a number of murder, kidnapping and extortion cases – that his name is on top of the UP police’s encounter list, reported NDTV.
According to the news channel, he told Yadav that he should “manage” local BJP leaders like Babina lawmaker Rajiv Singh Paricha and BJP's District President Sanjay Dubey, if he wanted to save himself.
The alleged criminal, who is currently out on bail, reportedly claimed that he had the conversation with the officer on Friday, 13 April.
The cop is also allegedly heard warning Yadav that he was being tracked. He also is reportedly heard saying that a “smart man” like Yadav must understand the "system”.
Earlier in March, speaking in the House during the Zero Hour, Adityanath pointed said that the encounters will not stop.
A total of 40 criminals have been gunned down in 1,200 encounters since the BJP formed a government in the state, and this will continue, the chief minister said.
The Indian Express, quoting data from DGP office, said that 1,142 encounters were recorded between 20 March 2017 and 31 January this year. In the 25 preceding 9 February, eight people were killed in 60 encounters across districts.
(With inputs from NDTV, the Indian Express)
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