Ghaziabad: In a major development in the sensational murder case of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, the main accused, Asad, was killed in a late-night police encounter in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, officials said on Sunday.
The encounter comes just days after Surya’s brutal stabbing triggered widespread outrage, protests, and demands for swift action against the perpetrators across the city.
According to police, Asad had been absconding since the May 28 attack in the Khoda area and was carrying a cash reward of ₹50,000 on his arrest. Acting on intelligence inputs, teams from Khoda and Indirapuram police launched a joint operation after receiving information that the accused was planning to flee the area after collecting money from his associates.
#Ghaziabad: Asad, the main accused in the Surya murder case, was killed in an encounter. He carried a reward of ₹50,000. A Khoda police constable was also injured.#UttarPradesh –
Seventeen-year-old Suryapratap Chauhan was stabbed to death on Eid in Ghaziabad. The family claims… pic.twitter.com/Nrt1DbjhCQ— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) May 31, 2026
Police officials said barricades were set up and an intensive checking operation was launched. During the operation, Asad was spotted riding a motorcycle along with an accomplice.
When police attempted to stop him, he allegedly opened fire on the team. Police retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which Asad sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. A police constable was also injured during the encounter and is currently undergoing treatment.
Murder That Sparked Citywide Anger
The case relates to the fatal stabbing of Class 11 student Surya Pratap Chauhan in Ghaziabad’s Khoda Colony on the day of Bakrid. Investigators allege that Asad and his associates attacked the teenager with knives during a violent confrontation.
Surya was admitted to a hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries during treatment, triggering massive public anger. Family members, local residents, and several Hindu organisations staged demonstrations, demanding the immediate arrest of all accused and strict punishment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dhaval Jaiswal said five individuals were named in the case. While three accused were arrested shortly after the incident, Asad had managed to evade arrest, prompting police to intensify search operations and announce a reward for information leading to his capture.
Police Recover Weapon, Launch Hunt for Accomplice
Officials said a firearm and the motorcycle used by Asad were recovered from the encounter site. However, the accused’s accomplice reportedly escaped during the exchange of fire.
A combing operation is currently underway to trace and arrest the absconding suspect, while further legal proceedings in the murder case continue.
Family Demands Action Against Remaining Accused
Following news of the encounter, Surya’s family demanded similar action against all those allegedly involved in the killing.
The victim’s mother said she would feel satisfied only after seeing confirmation that Asad had been killed and called for strict action against the remaining accused. She alleged that several people were involved in the attack on her son and demanded that authorities take the toughest possible measures against them.
Political Reactions Intensify
The murder had earlier drawn sharp political reactions in Uttar Pradesh.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had assured that those responsible for the teenager’s death would not be spared and would face the harshest punishment under the law.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also termed the incident “extremely tragic and worrying” and called for stringent action against the culprits.
With the main accused now dead, investigators are focusing on tracing the remaining suspects and completing the probe into a case that has sparked intense public and political debate across the state.
