Etawah encounter: Robbery suspect with 30+ cases shot in police operation
Synopsis
A habitual offender with over 30 criminal cases spanning robbery, attempted murder and Gangsters Act offences was shot in the leg and arrested after allegedly opening fire on a police team during a checking operation in Etawah — the latest in a series of UP encounters targeting repeat criminals with cross-district records.
Key Takeaways
Anuj Shakya , a robbery suspect with over 30 criminal cases , was injured and arrested in an encounter in Etawah on 16 October 2026 .
Shakya allegedly fired at police personnel during a checking operation on Bharthana Road before being shot in his left leg.
Recovered items include a .315-bore country-made pistol , live cartridges, the accused's Apache motorcycle , and ₹700 linked to a woman's robbery.
Cases against Shakya span districts including Etawah , Mainpuri , Fatehgarh , Auraiya , and Kannauj , involving robbery, attempted murder, and the Gangsters Act .
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the BNS and Arms Act ; a separate case related to firing at the police team is also underway.
A robbery suspect with a history of over 30 criminal cases across multiple Uttar Pradesh districts was injured in a police encounter during a checking operation in Etawah district on the night of 16 October 2026. The accused, identified as Anuj Shakya, was subsequently arrested after sustaining a gunshot wound to his left leg.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police, Sub-Inspectors Nitin Kumar and Kuldeep Kumar, along with other personnel, were conducting a routine checking operation on Bharthana Road — beyond the junction connecting Jhindua Bridge to Gangaura — when they spotted a black Apache motorcycle approaching from the direction of Etawah. When officers signalled the rider to stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the police team with the intent to kill. Officers retaliated, and Shakya sustained a bullet injury to his left leg below the knee. He was apprehended at the scene and transferred to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bharthana for treatment.
Recoveries Linked to the Robbery
During the operation, police recovered a .315-bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges, and an empty cartridge lodged in the pistol's barrel. Authorities also seized the black Apache motorcycle bearing registration number UP 75 AN 1054 and ₹700 reportedly connected to the robbery of a woman near Padiapura village on the Bharthana-Bidhuna road. The recovered items have been linked to Crime No. 244/2026 registered at Bharthana police station.
Accused's Extensive Criminal Record
According to Rural Superintendent of Police Shrishchandra, more than 30 criminal cases are registered against Shakya — also known as Anuj Kumar and Anuj Member — across several districts, including Etawah, Mainpuri, Fatehgarh, and Auraiya. The cases reportedly involve robbery, theft, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, and offences under the Gangsters Act. In Etawah, cases of robbery, attempted murder and Arms Act violations were registered against him at Usrahar police station in 2023. Records also link him to cases at police stations in Kannauj and Auraiya.
Legal Action Being Taken
A case related to the robbery was registered under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further proceedings are being initiated under Sections 109(1) and 317(2) of the BNS and Sections 3, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Separate legal action has also been initiated in connection with the alleged firing on the police team and the encounter itself. Shakya, a resident of Rampura Shamsherganj under the Kishani police station area of Mainpuri district, remains in custody as investigators continue to examine his alleged role in the woman's robbery and related offences.
Point of View
Raising the question of why habitual offenders with Gangsters Act charges remain operational across multiple districts. The legal framework being invoked — BNS alongside Arms Act provisions — is broader than a routine arrest, suggesting authorities are building a cumulative case. Independent verification of encounter circumstances, a process still inconsistently applied in UP, will determine whether this holds up to judicial scrutiny.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anuj Shakya and why was he targeted in the Etawah encounter?
Anuj Shakya, also known as Anuj Kumar and Anuj Member, is a resident of Rampura Shamsherganj in Mainpuri district. He was targeted after allegedly robbing a woman near Padiapura village and was intercepted during a police checking operation on Bharthana Road on 16 October 2026.
What happened during the Etawah police encounter on 16 October 2026?
Police personnel signalled Shakya to stop his motorcycle during a checking operation, upon which he allegedly opened fire at officers. The police team retaliated and Shakya was shot in his left leg below the knee before being arrested and taken to a Community Health Centre for treatment.
What was recovered during the encounter?
Officers recovered a .315-bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges, an empty cartridge, the Apache motorcycle bearing registration number UP 75 AN 1054, and ₹700 linked to the robbery of a woman. The recoveries have been tied to Crime No. 244/2026 at Bharthana police station.
How many criminal cases are registered against Anuj Shakya?
According to Rural Superintendent of Police Shrishchandra, more than 30 criminal cases are registered against Shakya across districts including Etawah, Mainpuri, Fatehgarh, Auraiya, and Kannauj. The offences reportedly include robbery, theft, attempted murder, illegal weapons possession, and Gangsters Act charges.
What legal sections have been applied in the Etawah case?
A case was registered under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additional proceedings are being initiated under Sections 109(1) and 317(2) of the BNS and Sections 3, 25, and 27 of the Arms Act, along with a separate case related to the alleged firing on the police team.
