Fraudster Arrested After Azamgarh Police Encounter
Accused of defrauding women of jewelry and cash, Sahab Ram was arrested following a shootout with police in Azamgarh.
A high-stakes police encounter in the Kaptanganj area of Azamgarh has led to the arrest of a notorious criminal accused of targeting vulnerable women. Sahab Ram, a 43-year-old resident of Bela Kaleshpur, was shot and apprehended during a late-night shootout with law enforcement on Monday night.
The Midnight Shootout
Acting on specific intelligence, a police team led by Inspector Pradeep Kumar had established a blockade near the Pasipur canal bridge. The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Anil Kumar. The team received a tip-off that Ram was approaching from the direction of Gopalganj on a motorcycle.
When officers signaled the motorcyclist to halt, the suspect attempted to evade capture by fleeing the scene. In the ensuing chaos, Ram opened fire on the police team. The officers returned fire in self-defense, striking the suspect in the right leg below the knee. The encounter concluded at approximately 1:30 AM.
Recovery of Stolen Goods and Weapons
Following the arrest, authorities conducted a search and recovered a significant amount of evidence and stolen property, including:
- A.315 bore country-made pistol
- One live cartridge and one spent shell
- A pair of yellow metal earrings and a necklace with a locket
- ₹1,350 in cash
- A touchscreen mobile phone
- A Super Splendor motorcycle used during the crime
Modus Operandi: Targeting Women
Investigations revealed that Sahab Ram specialized in deceiving women by promising them benefits from various government schemes and housing programs. He used these fraudulent pretexts to trick victims out of their valuable jewelry and cash. Two specific incidents were identified:
- October 1: A fraud incident occurring in the Kaptanganj market.
- October 5: A fraud incident occurring in the Kaudiya market.
While Ram has now been apprehended, police noted that another accomplice, Neeraj (alias Guddi), had been previously arrested in connection with these same crimes.
A Long Criminal History
The arrest of Sahab Ram brings an end to the spree of a man with a significant criminal record. Police records indicate that the suspect has been involved in at least nine prior criminal cases across the Azamgarh and Ghazipur districts.
After the encounter, the injured suspect was initially rushed to CHC Koyalsa for emergency first aid before being transferred to the Azamgarh District Hospital for further treatment.