Handcuff Escape Ends in Gunfight: Notorious Criminal Arshad Arrested
Notorious pickpocket Arshad alias Jojo arrested after escaping police custody and firing at officers in Meerut. Three cops suspended.
In a dramatic sequence of events that exposed a massive security lapse and ended in a violent confrontation, the Meerut police have arrested a notorious history-sheeter, Arshad alias Jojo, following a police encounter. The arrest comes after the criminal managed a daring escape from police custody, sparking a manhunt that culminated in a shootout at the Nauchandi Ground.
The Great Escape: A Lapse in Vigilance
Arshad, known in criminal circles as Jojo, is a seasoned offender with a long record of theft, robbery, and pickpocketing. He had been brought into custody by the police under non-bailable warrants issued by the court. However, instead of being secured in the lockup, he was kept in the police station office of the Nauchandi station.
While still in handcuffs, Arshad managed to deceive the officers on duty. Under the pretext of needing to use the toilet, he slipped away from the station, leaving the police scrambling to recover the fugitive who was literally shackled at the time of his flight.
The Encounter at Nauchandi Ground
The police launched an immediate search operation to track down the escaped convict. Approximately 15 hours after his escape, the police team managed to corner Arshad at the Nauchandi Ground. Rather than surrendering, the history-sheeter decided to fight his way out.
Arshad opened fire on the police team, triggering an immediate exchange of gunfire. During the clash, Arshad was shot in the hand—ironically, the same hand that had been shackled in handcuffs during his initial escape from the station.
Recoveries and Evidence
Following the encounter, the police conducted a search of the suspect and recovered the following items:
- A country-made pistol
- An empty shell
- Live cartridges
Police Personnel Suspended
The ease with which a handcuffed criminal escaped from a police station office has led to severe disciplinary action. The administration has taken a strict view of the negligence that allowed Arshad to walk out of the station.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Diksha Bhauriya confirmed that three police personnel have been suspended with immediate effect. Beyond the suspensions, the department has initiated formal inquiries and registered criminal cases against the negligent officers to ensure accountability for the security breach.