The police encounter of the main accused in the murder of a teenager in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district has sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the state's use of encounter killings while the ruling establishment defended the action. The incident follows the killing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, whose death triggered public outrage and protests in the Khoda area of Ghaziabad.

According to police, the main accused, Asad, was killed during a late-night encounter on May 31 following a joint operation conducted by the Khoda and Indirapuram police teams. Authorities said Asad, who had been absconding since the incident and carried a reward of ₹50,000 for his arrest, sustained gunshot injuries during an exchange of fire with police personnel. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The case stems from the fatal stabbing of Surya Pratap Chauhan on May 28, coinciding with the Bakri Eid festival. Police allege that Asad and several associates were involved in the attack. The incident led to widespread anger among local residents, with members of the victim's family and various Hindu organisations holding demonstrations and demanding swift action against those responsible. Law enforcement agencies had launched multiple search operations to locate the accused before the encounter took place.

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Reacting to the murder, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the killing and stated that such acts would not be tolerated. He also urged parents to remain vigilant regarding their children's activities, suggesting that proper guidance and discipline were essential in preventing young people from engaging in criminal behaviour.

The encounter has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, particularly from the Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress. Party leaders alleged that encounters in Uttar Pradesh are conducted selectively and argued that criminal cases should proceed through the judicial process. They maintained that suspects should be arrested, prosecuted and punished through courts rather than being subjected to police encounters.

Meanwhile, the victim's family has welcomed the action against the main accused but continues to demand strict measures against all those allegedly involved in the murder. Surya Chauhan's mother called for action against the remaining accused and urged authorities to ensure that every individual linked to the crime is brought to justice. The investigation into the murder remains ongoing, with police continuing efforts to apprehend the other suspects named in the case.

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