Wanted criminal cornered in Delhi Police encounter

NEW DELHI: A high-stakes encounter between the Delhi Police and a wanted criminal turned into a narrow escape for law enforcement on Friday in Firozabad's Tundla.

An IPS officer and a police inspector were shot in the chest during a shootout but survived due to their bulletproof vests.


The encounter took place when a joint team of Delhi Police and local police cornered Avinash, also known as Janu, a criminal carrying a reward of Rs 50,000. Acting on surveillance inputs, the team moved in to arrest him, but Avinash opened fire. Two bullets hit the operation leaders — IPS officer Melvin Varghese and Inspector Ramkumar — but were stopped by their protective jackets.

Avinash, a resident of Malviya Nagar in Delhi, had been on the run since 22 January after allegedly attacking a beat constable in Safdarjung Enclave in south-west Delhi and snatching his service pistol. Delhi Police records show that he is a hardened criminal with a criminal history dating back to 2012.

Investigators said Avinash initially turned to crime to fund his girlfriend’s expensive lifestyle, committing his first robbery outside a police station. Since then, he has allegedly been involved in a series of criminal activities.

The accused is currently undergoing medical treatment under heavy police guard, while further investigation is underway.