Ghaziabad encounter: ₹50,000 bounty criminal shot in both legs, arrested near Loni
Synopsis
A wanted criminal with a ₹50,000 bounty was shot in both legs and arrested in Ghaziabad after allegedly firing at police near the Nithaura underpass. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to the kidnapping and murder of Omkar Singh — a case registered just a week earlier on 30 May.
Key Takeaways
Gaurav , carrying a ₹50,000 bounty, was shot in both legs and arrested near the Nithaura underpass , Ghaziabad , on 6 June .
He was wanted for the kidnapping of Omkar Singh of Ganoli village , reported on 30 May .
Gaurav allegedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering Omkar Singh; the body was reportedly dumped in the Ganganagar area on Rohta-Meerut Road .
Police recovered a country-made pistol , one live cartridge, one spent cartridge, and a motorcycle from the accused.
A kidnapping and murder case has been registered at Loni police station ; remaining accused are still being sought.
A police encounter on 6 June in the jurisdiction of the Loni police station, Ghaziabad, left a wanted criminal injured and in custody after he allegedly opened fire on a police team. The accused, identified as Gaurav, who carried a reward of ₹50,000 on his head, sustained gunshot wounds to both legs and was subsequently admitted to a district hospital for treatment.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off that Gaurav was moving along Nithaura Road, a police team set up an intercept point near the Nithaura underpass. Officers spotted a motorcyclist approaching from the Nithora side and signalled him to stop. According to police, the rider ignored the signal and attempted to flee, triggering a pursuit.
During the chase, the motorcycle reportedly skidded and the accused fell. Police allege that Gaurav then drew a firearm and opened fire on personnel with intent to kill. Officers retaliated in self-defence, and Gaurav was hit in both legs before being taken into custody.
Kidnapping and Murder Allegations
Gaurav was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of Omkar Singh, a resident of Ganoli village, reported on 30 May. During questioning after his arrest, Gaurav allegedly confessed that he and his associates had kidnapped and subsequently murdered Omkar Singh. He further claimed, according to police, that the victim's body was disposed of in the Ganganagar area on Rohta-Meerut Road.
A case covering both the kidnapping and murder has been registered at the Loni police station, and a search is underway for the remaining accused.
What Was Recovered
Police recovered a motorcycle, a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, and one spent cartridge case from Gaurav's possession during the operation.
What the Police Said
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Siddharth Gautam confirmed that the kidnapping case was registered on 30 May and that teams had been actively searching for all those involved. He said information received on 6 June led directly to the operation near the Nithaura underpass, and that the accused fired at police before being neutralised in self-defence.
With Gaurav now in custody and a murder case formally registered, investigators are focused on locating the victim's body and apprehending the remaining suspects in the case.
Point of View
An alleged exchange of fire, and leg injuries that keep the accused alive for interrogation. What sets this case apart is the alleged confession to murder: the Omkar Singh kidnapping, filed just a week before, has now escalated into a homicide investigation. Whether the body is recovered and the confession holds up in court will determine whether this operation is remembered as a clean intercept or becomes another encounter whose details are contested. The recovery of a country-made pistol with one spent cartridge will face scrutiny, as such recoveries are routinely challenged by defence lawyers in UP encounter cases.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gaurav and why was he wanted by Ghaziabad police?
Gaurav is a criminal carrying a ₹50,000 police reward who was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of Omkar Singh, a resident of Ganoli village, reported on 30 May. He was intercepted by the Loni police on 6 June near the Nithaura underpass in Ghaziabad.
What happened during the Ghaziabad encounter on 6 June?
Police set up a checkpoint after receiving a tip-off about Gaurav's movement on Nithaura Road. When he attempted to flee on a motorcycle, officers gave chase. After the motorcycle skidded, Gaurav allegedly opened fire on police, who retaliated in self-defence, injuring him in both legs. He was arrested and taken to a district hospital.
What did Gaurav confess to after his arrest?
According to police, Gaurav confessed during questioning that he and his associates had kidnapped and murdered Omkar Singh. He reportedly claimed the victim's body was dumped in the Ganganagar area on Rohta-Meerut Road. These are alleged confessions and will need to be substantiated during the investigation.
What items were recovered from Gaurav?
Police recovered a motorcycle, a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, and one spent cartridge case from Gaurav's possession during the operation.
What is the current status of the case?
A case covering both kidnapping and murder has been registered at Loni police station. Gaurav is in custody and receiving treatment for his injuries. Police are actively searching for the remaining accused and working to locate the victim's body.
