Murder accused killed, 2 cops hurt in UP courtroom firing

Assailants opened fire in a courtroom here on Tuesday, killing a murder accused and injuring three others, including two policemen, officials said.

Among the three men arrested by police after the attack in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court was the son of the man murdered six months back, police said.

The incident occurred when the three assailants entered into the courtroom and showered bullets on two accused in the murder of a property dealer, Haji Ehsaan, and his nephew in Najibabad area of the district.

Both were brought to the CJM court for hearing from Tihar jail in Delhi Tuesday afternoon when the assailants fired at them, leaving main accused Shahnawaz dead, SP Sanjeev Tyagi said.

Shahnawaz's co-accused Jabbar suffered serious injuries and was referred to Meerut hospital, the SP said.

Two policemen, who rushed to save the victims, were also injured in the firing, Tyagi said.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Yogesh Kumar escaped unhurt, the SP said.

Police arrested all the three attackers after chasing them in the court compound. Haji Ehsaan's son is also among those arrested, the SP said.