Days after the killing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, the main accused in the case, Asad, was shot dead in a late-night police encounter on Saturday. Asad, who was absconding and had a reward of Rs. 50,000 on arrest, sustained gunshot injuries during a retaliatory fight and was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him “brought dead.”
Meanwhile, a police officer also got injured during a gunshot incident and is currently under treatment.
The alleged stabbing of Chauhan by Asad and his associates in Ghaziabad’s Khoda area on May 28 sparked protests by the victim’s family and several Hindu organizations, who demanded swift action against the accused.
“On May 28, Asad and his aides had attacked Surya Pratap Chauhan with a knife in the Khoda area. Critically injured Surya was admitted to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (City/Trans-Hindon) Dhaval Jaiswal said.
“Five individuals were named as accused in this case. Immediately after the incident, the police arrested three of the accused, while the main accused, Asad, remained at large. Several police teams were constituted to apprehend him, and a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for his capture,” Jaiswal said.
As per the Jaiswal, police got the cognizance that Asad was preparing to leave the area.
“Acting on this information, the police set up barricades at multiple locations and launched an intensive checking drive. During this operation, Asad was spotted approaching on a motorcycle along with an aide,” Jaiswal said.
“When the police attempted to intercept him, he opened fire on the police team. The police returned fire, during which Asad sustained critical gunshot injuries. The injured Asad was transported to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead,” he added.
Police also highlighted that a motorcar used by Asad and a weapon were recovered from the encounter site.
Police said a motorcycle used by Asad and a weapon were recovered from the encounter site.
Meanwhile, ahead of the police encounter, Chauhan’s mother demanded similar action for all others involved in the killing. “I have only seen the encounter of one person… But I want to see the picture of Asad. I will be satisfied after I see the picture. The encounter of others should also happen like this… Seven people did this to my son… Bulldozers should run over everyone’s houses,” she said while talking to news agency ANI.
