UP: Suspect In 2016 Theft Case Tries To Snatch Cop's Weapon And Flee, Arrested After Gunfight

The accused fled from a police station in UP's Greater Noida but was held again after a gunfight with the police. The commissioner of Gautam Buddh Nagar Police suspended six officials.

The commissioner of Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, Laxmi Singh, suspended six cops, including an SHO, for laxity in duty. ( Image Source :PTI )

A suspect in a robbery case fled a police station in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, but was nabbed again after a gunfight with cops on Thursday. The commissioner of Gautam Buddha Nagar Police, Laxmi Singh, suspended six cops, including an SHO, for laxity in duty, reported news agency PTI.

According to a source, orders were issued for lodging an FIR against five of the six police personnel and a departmental inquiry, PTI reported. According to the police, those suspended were attached to Ecotech-3 police station. Among them were two sub-inspectors and three constables, including a woman officer.

Rajeev, a resident of Khedi village in Greater Noida, was arrested in connection with a theft of Rs 1.21 lakh from a collection agent of an Airtel distributorship in 2016. He was brought to the Ecotech 3 police station on Wednesday, but he managed to escape despite the presence of several police personnel.

"A local court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Rajeev in connection with a the 2016 case. Accordingly, Rajeev was arrested on Wednesday and brought to the police station. However, he fled custody shortly after his arrest," PTI quoted Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Saad Miya Khan as saying.

"An FIR has been lodged over the issue and a detailed inquiry is being conducted over laxity in the role of the policemen involved in it. This would be followed by punishment as per rules," Khan said.

The police further stated that the two sub-inspectors and the three constables have also been booked for laxity in duty. The police managed to nab the accused again after a gunfight on Thursday evening.

"He was arrested from his house and was being brought to the police station again. On the way, he got aggressive and tried to steal a police officer's weapon. In self-defence, the cop opened fire, injuring Rajeev," Khan said 

The accused has been sent to a hospital for treatment and further legal proceedings are being carried out, the additional DCP said.

(With PTI inputs.)