Hardoi murder accused shot dead in UP Police encounter, SOG officer injured
Synopsis
A 7-year-old's murder in Hardoi's Matiyamau village — involving sexual assault, a stolen SIM card used to fake a ransom demand, and a ₹50,000 bounty — ended in a police encounter that killed the accused within 24 hours. The SOG in-charge was injured in the operation, and a full probe is ongoing.
Key Takeaways
Accused Mehnuddin was shot dead in a UP Police encounter in Hardoi on 6 May .
He was wanted for the sexual assault and murder of a 7-year-old boy from Matiyamau village , Hardoi.
A ₹50,000 reward had been announced for his capture due to the heinous nature of the crime.
The accused used a stolen SIM card to send a fake ransom demand, attempting to mislead investigators.
The SOG in-charge was injured during the encounter and has been hospitalised.
The case was resolved within 24 hours , according to Hardoi police officials.
The accused in the sexual assault and murder of a 7-year-old boy from Matiyamau village in Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead in a police encounter on 6 May, within 24 hours of the crime being solved. The suspect, identified as Mehnuddin, carried a reward of ₹50,000 on his head; the in-charge of the Special Operations Group (SOG) sustained injuries during the operation and has been hospitalised.
How the Crime Unfolded
The victim's father, Aqeel, filed a missing person complaint on 2 May, stating his son had left home to attend a local village fair on 1 May but did not return. Two police teams were immediately formed under the Mallawan police station jurisdiction to trace the child. Search operations led to the recovery of the boy's body from a maize field on the outskirts of Matiyamau village; the body was sent for post-mortem following inquest proceedings.
Accused's Attempt to Mislead Investigators
According to police, Mehnuddin had sexually assaulted the child before killing him. In a calculated move to divert the investigation, he allegedly used a stolen SIM card to send a ransom demand to the grieving family, attempting to reframe the case as a kidnapping. Police officials stated that this tactic was identified and dismantled during the rapid investigation that followed.
The Encounter and Its Aftermath
Following the identification of Mehnuddin as the primary suspect, a ₹50,000 reward was announced for his capture given the heinous nature of the crime. During the subsequent operation, the accused was shot. He was first taken to the Community Health Centre in Mallawan and later referred to the Hardoi District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The injured SOG in-charge has been admitted to hospital and is receiving medical treatment.
Official Response and Ongoing Probe
Senior Hardoi police officials confirmed that swift action was prioritised to deliver justice in the case. A comprehensive investigation into the full sequence of events — including the ransom demand and the circumstances of the encounter — is currently underway. Notably, the case was resolved within 24 hours of the investigation being launched, according to official statements.
Point of View
Even in cases where public outrage is justified. The accused's use of a stolen SIM card to simulate a kidnapping suggests a degree of premeditation that a full trial could have illuminated. With the SOG officer injured and the accused dead, the evidentiary record now depends entirely on the investigation that follows — making its independence and transparency critical.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Hardoi police encounter on 6 May?
The accused, identified as Mehnuddin, was shot dead in a UP Police encounter on 6 May. He was the prime suspect in the sexual assault and murder of a 7-year-old boy from Matiyamau village in Hardoi district.
What happened to the 7-year-old boy in Hardoi?
The boy went missing on 1 May after leaving home to attend a village fair. His body was later recovered from a maize field on the outskirts of Matiyamau village. According to police, he was sexually assaulted before being killed.
Why was a ₹50,000 reward announced for the accused?
Hardoi police announced a ₹50,000 reward for the capture of Mehnuddin due to the heinous nature of the crime, which involved the sexual assault and murder of a child. The reward was declared after he was identified as the primary suspect.
How did the accused try to mislead police?
According to police, Mehnuddin used a stolen SIM card to send a ransom demand to the victim's family, attempting to make the case appear to be a kidnapping and divert the investigation away from himself.
Was anyone else injured in the encounter?
Yes, the in-charge of the Special Operations Group (SOG) was injured during the encounter operation. He was hospitalised and is receiving medical treatment, according to Hardoi police officials.
