NEET Aspirant Shot Dead by Cattle Smugglers in Gorakhpur; Tension Grips Village
On the night of September 16, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Mauachapi village, under the Pipraich Police Station area in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, leaving the community in shock and grief. Deepak Gupta, a 19-year-old student preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), was brutally killed by suspected cattle smugglers, sparking violent protests and widespread outrage in the village. The incident has not only highlighted the audacity of criminal activities in rural areas but also raised serious concerns about safety and law enforcement in the region.
The Incident: A Night of Horror
According to reports, the tragedy occurred around 12:30 AM when a group of cattle smugglers, arriving in three vehicles, entered Mauachapi village with the intent to steal livestock from a warehouse owned by Deepak’s family. The warehouse, located approximately 500 meters from their home, was used for their furniture and water purification business. Deepak’s cousin, Monu, who was staying in an office above the warehouse, noticed suspicious activity and alerted Deepak. Without hesitation, Deepak rushed to the scene on his scooter, accompanied by 10–15 villagers.
A confrontation ensued as the villagers, including Deepak, attempted to chase the smugglers away. In a horrifying turn of events, the smugglers overpowered Deepak, forcibly took him into one of their vehicles, and drove him around for nearly an hour. According to some accounts, Deepak was shot in the mouth and leg, while others report that he was brutally beaten, sustaining fatal head injuries after being thrown from the moving vehicle. His body was later found near Saraiya village, about four kilometers from his home, in the early hours of the morning.
While villagers and Deepak’s family claim he was shot dead, police authorities, including Gorakhpur SSP Raj Karan Nayyar, have stated that preliminary investigations suggest no bullet injuries were found. Instead, they claim Deepak suffered a fatal head injury after being kicked or pushed out of the vehicle. The exact cause of death remains under investigation, with forensic teams and post-mortem proceedings underway to clarify the circumstances.
Outrage and Protests Erupt
The brutal killing of Deepak Gupta, a promising young student with dreams of becoming a doctor, sent shockwaves through the village. Enraged by the tragedy, villagers took to the streets, blocking the Gorakhpur-Pipraich road on the morning of September 16 to demand justice. The protests quickly escalated, with locals setting one of the smugglers’ vehicles on fire and brutally beating a suspect they managed to apprehend. Another vehicle escaped, leaving the villagers’ anger directed at both the perpetrators and the perceived failure of local law enforcement.
The situation grew volatile as clashes broke out between the protesters and police forces. Stones were hurled at the authorities, injuring senior officers, including Superintendent of Police (North) Jitendra Srivastava and Pipraich Station House Officer Purushottam Anand Singh. To control the unrest, police deployed forces from four stations, along with a unit of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Senior officials, including Gorakhpur District Magistrate Deepak Meena and SSP Raj Karan Nayyar, visited the site to pacify the grieving family and villagers, assuring them of swift action.
Official Response and Investigation
Gorakhpur SSP Raj Karan Nayyar addressed the incident, stating, “We received information around 3:00 AM that cattle smugglers had entered the village with two pickup vans. When villagers chased them, one vehicle got stuck, and the smugglers fled. Deepak chased the second vehicle
