Hapur Police arrest ₹25,000 bounty criminal in Gaurav Tyagi murder case
Synopsis
A ₹25,000-bounty accused in the brutal hammer-and-iron-rod murder of Gaurav Tyagi was shot in the leg and arrested by Hapur Police on 22 August after he opened fire during a vehicle check. On the same day, Firozabad Police arrested three thieves in a separate shootout — two of them also wounded — signalling an active crackdown across western Uttar Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Hapur Police arrested Pradeep , son of Rajbir , on 22 August in connection with the murder of Gaurav Tyagi on 18 August .
Pradeep was carrying a ₹25,000 bounty announced by SP Kunwar Gyanendra Singh .
The accused opened fire at police during a vehicle check before being shot in the leg and arrested.
Illegal weapons, ammunition, and the alleged crime vehicle were recovered from the accused.
In a separate Firozabad operation, three thieves — including Anuj and Mithun — were arrested; a pistol, motorcycle, and over ₹10,000 in cash were seized.
Hapur Police in Uttar Pradesh arrested a wanted criminal carrying a ₹25,000 bounty on 22 August in connection with the murder of Gaurav Tyagi, following an encounter during a vehicle-checking operation. The accused sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was hospitalised; illegal weapons, ammunition, and the car allegedly used in the crime were seized from him.
How the Arrest Unfolded
According to Hapur DSP Anita Chauhan, a police team signalled a white car to stop during a routine checking operation conducted by the Hapur Dehat Police. The driver, instead of complying, accelerated and attempted to flee before crashing the vehicle into a tree.
Following the collision, the accused opened fire at the police team. Officers retaliated, and the accused — identified as Pradeep, son of Rajbir, a resident of Mohammadpur Azampur village under the Babugarh police station area — sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and subsequently placed under arrest.
Background: The Gaurav Tyagi Murder
According to police, Pradeep was the prime accused in the murder of Gaurav Tyagi, a fellow resident of Mohammadpur Azampur village, who was killed on 18 August over an alleged long-standing land dispute. Police allege that Pradeep, along with his brothers and other associates, attacked Tyagi with hammers and iron rods, killing him.
A case was registered at the Hapur Dehat police station under several relevant sections of the IPC. Hapur Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyanendra Singh had announced a reward of ₹25,000 for credible information leading to Pradeep's arrest.
Items Recovered from the Accused
During the operation, police seized illegal weapons, ammunition, and the car allegedly used in the 18 August attack from the accused. Further investigation into the case is underway.
Second Encounter in Firozabad
In a separate incident in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh Police arrested three accused thieves following a shootout. Tundla Circle Officer Arun Kumar Chaurasia said a joint operation by teams from the Makhanpur and Narkhi police stations led to the arrests.
Two of the accused, identified as Anuj and Mithun, sustained bullet injuries to their legs during the exchange of fire and were admitted to a hospital. Police recovered a pistol, a motorcycle, and more than ₹10,000 in cash from the three accused. Investigation into this case is also ongoing.
Both operations underscore the continued pressure Uttar Pradesh Police are maintaining on wanted and repeat offenders across the state's western districts.
Point of View
A vehicle-check operation, an accused who fires first, and an arrest following retaliatory police firing. While the sequence of events as described by police remains the official account, such encounters warrant independent scrutiny — particularly when the accused is the sole named suspect in a murder case and the only witness to the alleged exchange of fire. The recovery of weapons and the crime vehicle strengthens the evidentiary case, but due process in the investigation will be critical to securing a conviction that holds up in court.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pradeep and why was he wanted by Hapur Police?
Pradeep, son of Rajbir, is the prime accused in the murder of Gaurav Tyagi, a resident of Mohammadpur Azampur village in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. He was wanted for allegedly killing Tyagi on 18 August over an old land dispute, along with his brothers and associates, using hammers and iron rods.
What happened during the Hapur Police encounter on 22 August?
During a vehicle-checking operation, Pradeep's car was signalled to stop but he attempted to flee, crashing into a tree. He then opened fire at police, who retaliated, injuring him in the leg. He was arrested and admitted to a hospital for treatment.
What bounty had been announced for Pradeep's arrest?
Hapur Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyanendra Singh had announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to Pradeep's arrest in the Gaurav Tyagi murder case.
What was recovered from the accused in the Hapur encounter?
Police recovered illegal weapons, ammunition, and the car allegedly used in the 18 August murder from Pradeep during the operation.
What happened in the separate Firozabad incident?
In Firozabad, a joint operation by the Makhanpur and Narkhi police stations led to the arrest of three accused thieves following a shootout. Two of them, Anuj and Mithun, were shot in the leg. Police seized a pistol, a motorcycle, and over ₹10,000 in cash.
