Varanasi witnessed a major breakthrough in a high-profile murder case on Tuesday when the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) gunned down notorious contract killer Banarasi Yadav in an encounter. The operation took place on the Bariyasanpur Ring Road under Chaubepur police station limits.
Banarasi Yadav was the main accused in the murder of coloniser Mahendra Gautam and had a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head. He was among the most wanted criminals in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
STF Encounter on Ring Road
According to senior police officials, the STF team received specific intelligence about Banarasi Yadav’s movement in the Chaubepur area. As the team attempted to intercept him, Banarasi allegedly opened fire, prompting retaliation from the STF.
During the exchange of gunfire, Banarasi Yadav sustained serious bullet injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, where doctors declared him dead.
The area was immediately sealed, and heavy police deployment was put in place to maintain law and order.
Weapons Recovered from the Spot
Police confirmed that two pistols and live cartridges were recovered from the encounter site. Forensic teams were called in, and further legal procedures are currently underway.
Officials stated that the recovery strengthens the case against Banarasi Yadav and confirms his involvement in multiple violent crimes.
Who Was Banarasi Yadav?
A Shadowy Figure in Eastern UP’s Crime World
Banarasi Yadav was a resident of Karanda in Ghazipur district and was considered one of the most dangerous shooters in Purvanchal. He had an extensive criminal history with:
- 10 murder cases
- More than 21 serious criminal cases
- FIRs registered across Varanasi, Ghazipur, and other districts
Despite being a known name in police records, no verified photograph of Banarasi Yadav was available with law enforcement agencies for years, making him extremely difficult to track.
Mastermind Behind the Mahendra Gautam Murder
₹50 Crore Land Dispute Led to Contract Killing
Five months ago, prominent coloniser Mahendra Gautam was brutally murdered in the Sarnath police station area of Varanasi. Investigations later revealed that the murder was linked to a ₹50 crore land dispute.
Police found that Yogendra, a property dealer from Ghazipur, had allegedly hired Banarasi Yadav for the killing. He reportedly paid ₹5 lakh as contract money to execute the murder.
Banarasi Yadav was identified as the main shooter and key conspirator in the case.
Why Banarasi Evaded Police for Years
No Phone, No Fixed Location
What made Banarasi Yadav exceptionally hard to catch was his lifestyle and discipline as a criminal:
- He never used a mobile phone
- He frequently changed locations
- He avoided staying in one place for long
- He operated through trusted intermediaries
These tactics allowed him to carry out multiple contract killings while remaining invisible to surveillance systems.
Police Call It a Major Success
Senior officials described the encounter as a significant success against organised crime in eastern Uttar Pradesh. They stated that Banarasi Yadav’s death would have a deterrent effect on contract killers and crime syndicates operating in the region.
Investigations are still ongoing to identify possible associates, financiers, and remaining links connected to the murder network.