Lucknow STF Kills Wanted Criminal Sanjay In Encounter Over Builder Murder

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) achieved a major breakthrough on Saturday by neutralizing a notorious criminal, Sanjay alias Sanjeev, in an encounter in the state capital, Lucknow. Sanjay, who carried a bounty of 1 lakh rupees on his head, was identified as the primary shooter involved in the sensational murder of builder Sandeep Singh. The encounter took place on the Indira Canal Road under the jurisdiction of the Lucknow police. According to police reports, the STF team received specific intelligence regarding the movement of the criminal in the area, leading to a strategic cordon and search operation.

Details of the Encounter and Medical Response

As the STF team closed in on the suspect on Indira Canal Road, Sanjay allegedly opened fire on the police personnel in an attempt to escape. In the retaliatory firing by the STF, the criminal sustained serious bullet injuries. Following the exchange of fire, the injured criminal was immediately rushed to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, despite the efforts of the medical staff, Sanjay was declared dead upon arrival. The police have since initiated the necessary legal formalities and post-mortem procedures to document the incident.

Criminal Profile and Gang Affiliations

Sanjay alias Sanjeev was a resident of Kodar in the Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, while he had been a significant challenge for the law enforcement agencies for a long time, with a reward of 1 lakh rupees officially announced for his capture by the Lucknow Police Commissioner. His criminal record was extensive, with numerous cases of murder and other heinous crimes registered against him across various districts, including Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, and Ayodhya. Investigations revealed that Sanjay was closely associated with the gangs of notorious criminals Dilip Verma and Khan Mubarak, participating in several grave criminal activities alongside them.

The Sandeep Singh Murder Case

The primary case that brought Sanjay into the crosshairs of the STF was the murder of builder Sandeep Singh. On May 27, 2026, Sandeep Singh was shot dead in the PGI police station area of Lucknow. The investigation into this sensational killing uncovered a conspiracy rooted in an old enmity and a dispute over land. It was revealed that a contract, or 'supari', worth 5 lakh rupees had been given to execute the murder. While the mastermind behind the killing, Dinesh Yadav, had already been arrested and sent to jail, Sanjay had remained at large as the main shooter until this encounter.

Impact of the STF Action

The elimination of Sanjay is seen as a significant success for the Uttar Pradesh Police and the STF in their ongoing crackdown on organized crime, while officials stated that Sanjay's involvement in multiple high-profile cases had made him a high-priority target. With the main shooter now neutralized and the mastermind already in custody, the police believe they've effectively closed the loop on the Sandeep Singh murder case. The STF continues to investigate other potential associates and links related to Sanjay's criminal network to ensure further stability in the region.