Budaun

Two police officers have been suspended following the killing of two senior officials associated with an ethanol plant of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in Budaun district, officials said on Friday.

The action came after a report by the circle officer citing alleged negligence in the discharge of duties.

Harshit Mishra (34), assistant general manager (AGM) at the HPCL plant in Sejni village, and Sudhir Kumar Gupta (58), a general manager, were shot dead on Thursday.

Inspector Ajay Kumar and Sub-Inspector Dharmendra Kumar were suspended on Thursday night following the report submitted by Ujhani Circle Officer Devendra Kumar.

Meanwhile, family members of Mishra alleged that police ignored repeated complaints about threats to his life.

Mishra’s mother, Rani Devi, claimed that her son had informed the district administration and police about the threats from the accused, Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ramu.

“My son told everyone that his life was in danger. He approached the SP, the DM and even the local MLA, but no one listened to us,” she alleged, adding that Singh used to threaten people openly while claiming links with a criminal gang.

Mishra’s maternal uncle Prabhat Mishra also questioned how the accused managed to enter the plant premises with a firearm despite repeated warnings to authorities.

The victim’s father, Sushil Kumar, said his son had sought protection from the police and administration multiple times.

“A case was registered, yet the accused continued to roam freely. Today he returned and murdered two people,” he alleged, claiming the attack was premeditated. He also accused a senior HPCL official and three others of involvement in the conspiracy.

Reacting to the incident, Budaun MP Aditya Yadav described the broad-daylight killing of two officials inside an industrial complex as deeply disturbing and raised concerns about the law and order situation.

In a post on X, the MP termed the incident “deeply tragic and shameful” and demanded swift arrests and strict punishment for those responsible.

According to police, the shooting took place inside the HPCL ethanol plant under the Musajhag police station area after a blacklisted vendor allegedly opened fire.

The accused shooter, a former vendor at the plant, has been arrested.

Police said Gupta had recently terminated several employees and blacklisted vendors due to unsatisfactory work, and Singh was among those removed.

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Since the termination, Singh had reportedly been upset with the general manager and had issued threats on several occasions, officials added.