The main accused in the murder of a 17-year-old Class 11 student in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district was killed during a police encounter in the early hours of Sunday, officials said. The accused, identified as Asad, was wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of Surya Pratap Chauhan in the Khoda area and had been absconding since the incident.
According to police, Surya Chauhan was attacked on May 28 following an altercation and sustained multiple stab injuries. He was admitted to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The murder triggered widespread outrage in the locality, with residents and family members demanding immediate action against those responsible.
Police said a case was registered against five accused persons, and three suspects were arrested shortly after the incident. Asad, described as the prime accused, remained on the run, leading authorities to announce a reward of ₹50,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dhawal Jaiswal said police received intelligence that Asad was planning to meet associates in the Khoda area before attempting to flee. Acting on the information, police teams set up checkpoints and launched a search operation. When officers tried to stop Asad and another person who were reportedly travelling on a motorcycle, they allegedly opened fire on the police team.
Police claimed that officers retaliated in self-defence during the exchange of fire. Asad sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later declared dead. A police constable was also injured during the encounter and received medical treatment. Authorities recovered a motorcycle and a firearm allegedly used by the accused during the confrontation.
The case had drawn significant public attention and heightened tensions in the Khoda locality. Additional police forces were deployed in the area after protests and demands for strict action against the accused. Investigators are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding the murder and are searching for the remaining suspects named in the case.
Officials said further legal proceedings and investigation into the wider conspiracy and involvement of other accused persons are underway.
