Ghaziabad teen murder: UP Dy CM Brajesh Pathak vows no criminal will be spared
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on 31 May declared that no one involved in criminal activity would be spared, hours after the main accused in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan in Ghaziabad's Khoda area was shot dead in a police encounter. The state government, Pathak said, has taken a serious view of the incident.
What the Deputy Chief Minister Said
Speaking to reporters, Pathak stated: 'Police had caught those involved in Surya Pratap Chauhan's murder, and during a subsequent police action, the main accused was killed. All those responsible for the murder and related criminal activities would face strict action. The government remains fully committed to maintaining law and order in the state.'
Pathak added that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered stringent action in all districts where such criminal acts have taken place, and that all police officials have been directed to act accordingly.
The Encounter: What Happened
The accused, identified as Asad, was shot dead by police late Saturday night during a joint operation conducted by the Khoda police station and the Indirapuram police. Asad, who was absconding and carried a reward of ₹50,000, sustained fatal injuries during retaliatory firing by the police, officials said on Sunday.
The Original Crime
On 28 May — the day of Bakrid — Asad and his aides allegedly attacked Surya Pratap Chauhan with a knife in the Khoda area of Ghaziabad. The teenager was rushed to hospital in critical condition but died during treatment. The incident triggered widespread anger among residents, with the victim's family and several Hindu organisations staging protests and demanding immediate arrests.
Voices from the Community
Former Khoda Municipal Council Chairperson Reena Bhati said the encounter would serve as a precedent for those with extremist ideology. 'The family had hope, and we also had hope. There was complete trust on the police and the government. This encounter has happened to a person with a radical mindset. In the future, if anyone continues with such ideology, they will meet similar fate,' she said.
Surya's mother, reacting to the police action, said: 'I had demanded an encounter; we asked for justice for the blood, and we have received the encounter.' Bhati also confirmed that the state government has assured a job and a house for the victim's family.
What Happens Next
With the main accused eliminated in the encounter, attention now turns to the remaining accused and whether the state's promised compensation reaches Surya's family. The Yogi Adityanath government's broader directive for stringent district-level policing will be closely watched as a test of its law-and-order commitments.