On Thursday morning, UP STF had an encounter with Vinod Upadhyay, the most wanted mafia in the top ten list of Gorakhpur district, in Sultanpur. According to the information, Vinod fired several rounds while trying to escape. But in retaliation, Mafia Vinod was killed by STF bullets. Gorakhpur Police had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on the head of Vinod Upadhyay. Vinod was wanted in a case registered in Gulriha police station of Gorakhpur. STF Chief Amitabh Yash said that Gorakhpur criminal Vinod Upadhyay was injured in an encounter with the team of STF Deputy SP Deepak Singh on Thursday morning. He was taken to the hospital, but died. Gorakhpur Crime Branch and police were searching for him for about 7 months in several cases including land grabbing, murder and attempt to murder. STF has recovered Chinese pistol-30 bore, Sten gun 9 mm factory made, live cartridges and Swift car from Vinod. Yogi government had released the list of 68 wanted mafias, Vinod Upadhyay’s name was also included in the top-10.
Vinod was going to Prayagraj
According to STF sources, these days Vinod Upadhyay’s real estate work was going on in many places including the capital Lucknow, Noida, Delhi, Prayagraj, Jharkhand. During his absconding, he used to stay hidden in these cities and travel at night due to fear of police. Even late on Thursday night, he was going to Prayagraj by car. Meanwhile, STF got his location. When STF surrounded him near Sultanganj, an encounter took place. According to the information, a history-sheeter from Gorakhnath police station of Gorakhpur was giving shelter to mafia Vinod during his escape. Because both that history-sheeter and Vinod used to do the usury business together. Vinod often took shelter at the history-sheeter’s hideouts including Lucknow, Delhi and Mumbai. Deep inside both were trying to enter politics once again. Vinod Upadhyay had contested elections from Gorakhpur in 2007 on BSP ticket. But, he was defeated.
There was a plan to surrender in court
Vinod Upadhyay, son of Ramkumar Upadhyay, was originally a resident of Upadhyay Ka Purva of Mayabazar police station area of Ayodhya district. ADG Zone Gorakhpur had announced a reward of one lakh rupees on Vinod Kumar Upadhyay, a big name in the world of crime and included in the list of top 68 mafia of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier a reward of Rs 50 thousand was announced. Crime Branch along with STF and Gorakhpur district police were searching for him for 7 months. At the age of 41, there were 39 cases registered against Vinod in other districts including Gorakhpur. But, his dominance was such that till now he had not been punished in any case. Gorakhpur police sources said that Vinod was absconding with his wife and daughter. There was talk that he had planned to surrender in Basti and Maharaganj. But, he could not do it. Let us tell you that on May 24, 2023, cancer patient Praveen Srivastava, a former assistant district government advocate living in Daudpur of Gorakhpur Cantt area, filed a case against Vinod Upadhyay, his brother Sanjay, servant Chhotu and two unknown people at Gulriha police station for demanding extortion and sabotage. Had it done.
Police is also searching for Raghavendra Yadav
In this case, the police arrested the servant Chhotu and sent him to jail. A reward of Rs 25,000 each was announced on Vinod and his brother who were absconding. After this the prize money was increased to Rs 50 thousand and then Rs 1 lakh. A few months ago, state DGP Vijay Kumar had reviewed the action taken against the criminals included in the list of top 68 mafia of the state. In this, he expressed his displeasure over the lack of effective action against 9 miscreants of the state. The name of Vinod Upadhyay from Gorakhpur was also included in this. Vinod was the second highest rewarded criminal in 11 districts of Gorakhpur zone. There was a reward of one lakh on him. Raghavendra Yadav’s name is at number one. A reward of Rs 2.50 lakh has been declared on Raghavendra of Sugaha village of Jhangha, who killed 4 people. He is absconding since 2016.
NBW was issued in April 2023
In 2010, the Shahpur police station of Gorakhpur had taken action under the Gangster Act against Vinod Upadhyay, his brother Sanjay Upadhyay and associate Prabhakar Dwivedi. The hearing of this case was going on in the court of special judge gangster Shashibhushan Kumar Shandil. A non-bailable warrant was issued against the mafia and his brother in April due to their non-appearance at the hearing. Since then the police was searching for Vinod. However, seeing the increasing police pressure, mafia brother Sanjay Upadhyay had surrendered in the court. While the police also arrested many of his henchmen. Many times Vinod also tried to trick the police and surrender in the court. But he could not succeed in this. Seeing the police action against Vinod, people who suffered from it also started coming forward openly. During this period, many cases were registered against Vinod.
Bulldozer ran on Vinod’s illegal house
On June 17, 2023, the administration had run a bulldozer on the house of Vinod Upadhyay in Gorakhpur. First broke the boundary wall of illegal mafia house in Salempur Mogalha. After this the building was demolished. Besides, 7000 square feet of land was also vacated from his possession. Actually, Vinod had captured the land of Cold Store Society in Mogalha about 15 years ago. This society comes under GDA i.e. Gorakhpur Development Authority.
Journey from student leader to Jairam’s world
Mafia Vinod came into limelight by committing murder in exchange of a slap. After this Vinod came into Jairam’s world. In 2004, Jeetnarayan Mishra, a criminal from Nepal Bhairahawa, lodged in Gorakhpur jail, had slapped Vinod in the jail over some issue. Vinod came out on bail after a few days. On the other hand, Jeetnarayan was sent to Basti jail. Got bail on 7 August 2005. Jeetnarayan boarded a jeep with his brother-in-law Gorelal to go to Bakhira in Sant Kabirnagar. As soon as he got down, the miscreants who came in the car surrounded him and started firing indiscriminately and killed him. Vinod came into limelight due to this murder case. Then, apart from FCI, Vinod also kept an eye on railway contracts. Regarding this, Vinod had kidnapped Sushil Singh, leader of Hindu Yuva Vahini. Then Sushil was beaten and taken from Vijay Chowk to Ganesh Hotel inside Gorakhpur city. Sushil was requesting him to leave but Vinod did not feel pity. Later a case was registered but no action was taken. After these two incidents Vinod came under the radar of the police. It is said that Gorakhpur’s strongman Harishankar Tiwari had his hand on Vinod’s head, hence he used to survive even after the crime.
Mayawati had held a rally in support of Vinod
Vinod had thought of entering politics from the world of theater. He started his political journey from BSP. At one time, Vinod was very close to senior BSP leader Satish Mishra. In 2007, BSP had made Vinod in-charge of Gorakhpur district. After this, in 2007 he became a candidate from Gorakhpur Sadar seat. Mayawati herself had gone to Gorakhpur to hold a rally in support of Vinod. But when the results came, Vinod stood fourth. Dr. Radha Mohan Das Agarwal of BJP had won. Meanwhile, due to gang war, a case of murder was registered against Vinod in Hazratganj police station of Lucknow in 2007 itself. In 2008 also, a case of attempt to murder was registered. After this, Vinod started moving away from politics.