**Rampur: Main Accused in Gorakhpur NEET Aspirant Murder Case Shot Dead by UP STF**

The main accused in the Gorakhpur NEET aspirant murder case was shot dead by the Uttar Pradesh Police’s Special Task Force (STF) on Friday night. The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Zubair. The encounter took place in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh.

According to reports, Zubair had multiple cases registered against him and also carried a bounty of Rs one lakh. He was reportedly involved in cow smuggling activities across the state. Following the tragic killing of 19-year-old NEET aspirant Deepak Gupta by animal smugglers in Gorakhpur, Zubair was on the run.

On September 16, Gupta was allegedly shot dead by cattle smugglers while preparing for the NEET medical entrance exam. Reports state that in the early hours of September 16, a group of cattle smugglers arrived in three separate vehicles to steal livestock from a village. Deepak Gupta chased them alone on his scooter. In response, the accused fired at him.

The smugglers then caught Gupta, forced him into their pick-up vehicle, and drove around for about an hour. They allegedly shot him in the mouth, killing him instantly, before crushing his head and dumping his body approximately four kilometres away from his home.

Following the student’s death, Gorakhpur witnessed a tense atmosphere as locals blocked the Gorakhpur-Pipraich road in protest. The protest later turned violent, escalating tensions in the area.

Senior police officials, including Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Law and Order), Amitabh Yash, rushed to Gorakhpur to personally review the case.

On September 17, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested another accused, identified as Rahim, after an encounter in Kushinagar. Rahim reportedly sustained a bullet injury to his leg during the operation.

The Uttar Pradesh Police continue their efforts to bring all involved individuals to justice following this horrifying incident.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/gorakhpur-neet-aspirant-murder-case-prime-accused-killed-in-encounter-by-up-special-task-force