In a late-night encounter on the Vedkheri–Mansura road in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, police gunned down Mithun, the dreaded head of the Bawaria gang and a criminal carrying a combined reward of ₹1.25 lakh. His associate Rahil, however, managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness.
Fierce Gunfight Injures Policemen, But Major Success for Shamli Police
During the exchange of fire, Head Constable Harvinder of the SOG unit sustained bullet injuries, while Jhinjhana SHO Virendra Kasana narrowly escaped after a bullet pierced his jacket.
Shamli SP Narendra Pratap Singh said police received a tip-off that gang members were preparing for a crime on Vedkheri–Mansura road. A joint team of Jhinjhana Police and the SOG rushed to the spot. On being challenged, the criminals opened fire. Police retaliated, and Mithun collapsed after being hit.
A carbine and a Made-in-Italy pistol were recovered from the encounter site.
Terror Across States: Over 20 Cases Against Mithun
Mithun had long been a notorious menace across western UP and neighbouring states. He faced more than 20 criminal cases, including murder, robbery, dacoity, and armed assaults.
Shamli Police had announced a ₹1 lakh reward on him, while Baghpat Police declared ₹25,000 separately. During the Kanwar Yatra, he had robbed a woman in Baghpat and had been absconding ever since, committing crimes while constantly shifting locations.
Frequently Changed States to Evade Arrest
Investigations revealed that Mithun often fled to different states after committing crimes — Punjab, South Delhi, Jaipur, and others. His gang was involved in incidents across Shamli, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur.
His criminal operations were not confined to North India. The gang also carried out multiple robberies in Tamil Nadu, SP Singh said.
He was also implicated in the 2017 murder of Bharat Kumar in Jhinjhana, one of the most sensational cases of the region.
Attempt to Spread Fear Across Multiple States
Police officials said Mithun’s first case was a simple assault, but he soon escalated to major crimes. He attempted to establish dominance across Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West UP, spreading fear through repeated violent incidents.
Third Major Wanted Criminal Eliminated in Recent Months
Shamli Police has intensified operations against hardened criminals.
- On 18 October, police killed Nafees, a ₹1 lakh rewardee, in Bhavisa village forests.
- On 24 October, a shooter from the Sanjeev Jeeva gang, Faisal, was killed near Bhogi Mazra; Constable Deepak was injured in that encounter.
Mithun’s elimination marks the third major breakthrough, significantly weakening active gang networks in Shamli and surrounding districts.
Massive Manhunt Launched for Escaped Accomplice
Police have launched an extensive combing operation to trace Rahil, who fled the encounter site. Searches are ongoing in nearby villages and forested areas.
Injured Head Constable Harvinder is undergoing treatment at the district hospital. Officers said the fugitive would also be arrested soon.
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