Ghaziabad encounter: Asad killed after Surya Pratap murder; Pathak vows no one will be spared
Synopsis
The main accused in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan was shot dead in a Ghaziabad police encounter on 31 May, days after the teenager's murder triggered protests across the region. UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has vowed that no one involved will be spared — with one accused still at large and a mandatory inquiry expected to follow.
Key Takeaways
Prime accused Asad , carrying a reward of ₹50,000 , was killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad on 31 May 2025 .
17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan was allegedly stabbed on 28 May in the Khoda police station area and later succumbed to his injuries.
UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak declared that all criminals involved would be brought to justice under the Chief Minister's direct orders.
Of five accused , three were arrested immediately after the murder; Asad was the fourth; the fifth remains at large.
A police officer sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and is under treatment.
The case is expected to face a mandatory magisterial inquiry as per standard UP procedure for police encounters.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Sunday, 31 May declared that every criminal linked to the murder of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan would face justice, hours after the prime accused, Asad, was shot dead in a police encounter in Ghaziabad. The encounter followed days of mounting public outrage over Surya's fatal stabbing and escalating demands for swift action against the perpetrators.
The Encounter: What Happened
According to police officials, Asad — who carried a reward of ₹50,000 on his arrest — was the principal accused in the stabbing of Surya Pratap Chauhan in the Khoda police station area. Acting on intelligence that Asad was planning to flee after collecting money from associates, police established barricades and intensified checking operations in the area.
When officers attempted to intercept Asad and an accomplice travelling on a motorcycle, the accused allegedly opened fire on the police team. Officers retaliated, and Asad sustained gunshot injuries in the exchange. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. A police officer also suffered a gunshot wound during the operation and is currently undergoing treatment.
What the Government Said
Deputy Chief Minister Pathak stated: 'The police arrested Surya's killers, and in a retaliatory action, the main accused was killed. The killers and criminals involved will not be spared under any circumstances. Our government is fully committed to maintaining law and order. Our Chief Minister had ordered strict action in the matter.'
Pathak's remarks underline the Uttar Pradesh government's stated zero-tolerance posture on crime — a recurring political message from the administration of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, under whose tenure police encounters have become a prominent law-enforcement feature.
The Victim's Family Responds
Surya Pratap Chauhan's mother welcomed the police action. 'I had demanded an encounter; we asked for justice for the blood, and we have received the encounter,' she said after the operation was confirmed. Her statement reflects the grief and anger that had gripped the family since Surya was allegedly attacked with a knife on 28 May and succumbed to his injuries despite emergency medical treatment.
Background: Protests and Police Response
Deputy Commissioner of Police (City/Trans-Hindon) Dhaval Jaiswal confirmed that Surya's murder had triggered widespread tension, with local residents and several Hindu organisations staging protests and demanding immediate action. Of the five individuals named as accused, three were arrested immediately after the incident; Asad remained at large until Sunday's encounter.
This comes amid a broader pattern in Uttar Pradesh where high-profile crimes have been followed by police encounters, drawing both public support and scrutiny from civil liberties groups over due process. Notably, the case drew state-level political attention, with the Chief Minister personally directing strict action.
What Happens Next
With Asad eliminated and three others already in custody, investigators are now focused on apprehending the fifth accused, who remains at large. The encounter is likely to face a mandatory magisterial inquiry, as is standard procedure in UP for police shootings. The case will continue to be watched closely given its political and communal sensitivity.
Point of View
Where encounters have served both as law-enforcement tools and political signals. The victim's mother publicly demanded an encounter before it happened, which raises questions about the line between justice and extrajudicial pressure. A mandatory magisterial inquiry will follow, but such inquiries in UP have rarely resulted in accountability. The broader issue — five accused in a case that required a ₹50,000 reward to locate the prime suspect — points to gaps in local policing that an encounter does not resolve.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Ghaziabad encounter on 31 May 2025?
Asad, the prime accused in the murder of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, was killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad on 31 May 2025. He had been at large since the stabbing and carried a police reward of ₹50,000 on his arrest.
What happened to Surya Pratap Chauhan?
Surya Pratap Chauhan, a 17-year-old, was allegedly attacked with a knife on 28 May in the Khoda police station area of Ghaziabad. He was hospitalised in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries, triggering widespread protests.
What did UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak say about the encounter?
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that the killers and criminals involved would not be spared under any circumstances, adding that the UP government is fully committed to maintaining law and order and that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had personally ordered strict action.
How many accused are there in the Surya Pratap Chauhan murder case?
Five individuals were named as accused. Three were arrested immediately after the incident, Asad was killed in the encounter on 31 May, and the fifth accused remains at large as of the latest reports.
What happens after a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh?
Under standard procedure in Uttar Pradesh, every police encounter is subject to a mandatory magisterial inquiry to verify the circumstances of the shooting. The Ghaziabad encounter involving Asad is expected to undergo this review.
