Etawah encounter: Man accused of assaulting 6-year-old shot after attacking police
Synopsis
A 22-year-old man accused of luring and assaulting a six-year-old girl near a brick kiln in Etawah was first overpowered by villagers, then shot by police after he allegedly grabbed an officer's pistol during evidence recovery — a sequence that encapsulates the volatile intersection of mob justice, child safety, and police encounter accountability in UP.
Key Takeaways
Accused Nitin , 22 , of Nagla Ajit , allegedly assaulted a six-year-old girl near a brick kiln in Barhpura, Etawah on Saturday, 17 May .
Villagers and family members apprehended the accused on the spot and handed him to police after detaining him.
During evidence recovery, the accused allegedly attacked officers and attempted to seize the pistol of Sub-Inspector Kuldeep Singh .
Police returned fire in self-defence; the accused was shot in his right leg and hospitalised.
A service pistol and two spent 9mm cartridges were seized from the accused's possession.
An FIR has been registered at Barhpura police station ; investigation is ongoing.
A 22-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl was injured in a police encounter in the Barhpura area of Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, after he allegedly attacked officers and attempted to seize a firearm during evidence recovery on Saturday, 17 May, according to officials.
How the Incident Unfolded
The assault occurred on Saturday afternoon when the victim — the daughter of a labourer — stepped out near her home to pluck mangoes close to a brick kiln. According to Circle Officer (CO) of Jaswantnagar, Ayushi Singh, the accused, identified as Nitin, a resident of Nagla Ajit, lured the child into nearby bushes and subjected her to sexual assault.
A second child playing in the vicinity witnessed the incident and alerted the victim's family. Villagers and family members rushed to the spot, surrounded the accused as he attempted to flee, overpowered him, and handed him over to local police after detaining him.
Police Response and Arrest
Etawah Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Brajesh Kumar Srivastava directed Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Abhaynath Tripathi and CO Ayushi Singh to take immediate action. A team led by Barhpura Station In-charge Narendra Mishra reached the scene, arrested the accused, and sent the victim to hospital for a medical examination. Legal proceedings were initiated simultaneously.
An FIR was registered at Barhpura police station based on a written complaint filed by the victim's mother. During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime and disclosed the location of concealed evidence.
The Encounter: What Police Say
When officers escorted the accused to the location he had identified for evidence recovery, he allegedly attacked the police team and attempted to snatch the service pistol of Sub-Inspector Kuldeep Singh, according to CO Singh. He then allegedly fired the weapon with the intent to kill.
'Acting in self-defence, the police returned fire. The accused sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg,' CO Singh said. He was arrested on the spot and transported to hospital for treatment.
Police subsequently recovered physical evidence and clothing linked to the assault from the location indicated by the accused. A service pistol and two spent 9mm cartridges were also seized from his possession, according to officials.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. Further details are awaited as forensic and legal proceedings continue. This incident comes amid heightened public concern over crimes against children in Uttar Pradesh, where police encounters involving accused persons have drawn both support and scrutiny in recent years.
Point of View
Swift community intervention, and a police encounter during investigation that leaves the accused injured. Each element is individually defensible, but together they raise a question mainstream coverage often skips — where does mob justice end and due process begin? The accused's alleged attempt to seize a service pistol is the pivot point of the entire legal narrative; without independent verification, it will remain contested. UP's encounter record means such incidents are rarely examined with the scrutiny they warrant.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Etawah child assault case?
A 22-year-old man named Nitin allegedly lured a six-year-old girl into bushes near a brick kiln in Barhpura, Etawah, on 17 May and sexually assaulted her. Villagers caught him at the scene and handed him to police, after which he was injured in an encounter during evidence recovery.
Why was the accused shot by police in Etawah?
According to Circle Officer Ayushi Singh, the accused attacked the police team when they escorted him to recover concealed evidence, attempted to snatch Sub-Inspector Kuldeep Singh's pistol, and fired it with intent to kill. Police returned fire in self-defence, injuring him in the right leg.
What action has been taken against the accused?
An FIR has been registered at Barhpura police station based on a complaint by the victim's mother. The accused was arrested, hospitalised for his gunshot wound, and a service pistol along with two spent 9mm cartridges were seized from him. Investigation is ongoing.
Who led the police response in the Etawah case?
Etawah SSP Brajesh Kumar Srivastava directed the operation. A team led by Barhpura Station In-charge Narendra Mishra carried out the arrest, under the supervision of Additional SP Abhaynath Tripathi and CO Ayushi Singh.
What is the condition of the victim?
The six-year-old victim was sent to hospital immediately after the incident for a medical examination. Necessary medical and legal proceedings were initiated, according to officials. Her current condition has not been disclosed publicly.
