Youth shot in leg as mob tries to free ATM robbery accused from Meghalaya Police custody in Haryana

GURGAON: A youth sustained a bullet injury in his leg after police opened fire in self-defence when a mob allegedly tried to free an ATM robbery accused from a Meghalaya Police team near Sikrawa village in Nuh district on Tuesday evening.

Police registered a case against 12 named persons and several others for attacking the police team, obstructing government duty and attempting to free the accused from custody. The injured youth has been admitted to Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, where his condition is stated to be stable.

Addressing a press conference, Nuh additional superintendent of police Ayush Yadav said the incident occurred when a team from Meghalaya Police was taking Rahul Khan, a resident of Wajidpur in Nuh, to Meghalaya on transit remand in connection with an ATM robbery case.

According to police, when the team reached Sikrawa village close to HR-93 Donga Hotel in the jurisdiction of Nuh Police’s Pinangwan police station, the accused insisted that the vehicle be stopped. “He suddenly grabbed the steering wheel and attempted to overturn the vehicle in an effort to escape from police custody,” Yadav said.

Soon after, a crowd of around 20–30 people, including women, gathered at the spot and surrounded the police vehicle. The mob allegedly tried to snatch the car keys and seize weapons from the police team. As the situation escalated, police personnel opened fire in self-defence to disperse the crowd.

During the firing, Tareef Khan, a resident of Sikrawa village, suffered a bullet injury in his leg. Police shifted him to PGIMS Rohtak for treatment.

The complaint filed by Meghalaya Police sub-inspector Arkidalang Wahlang named Naseem, Farookh, Maimuna, Sahruni, Mustakeem, Sahid, Khuddi, Khalid, Bhuppat, Zafar, Tareef Khan and Rahul among those who allegedly attacked the police team and attempted to free the accused.

After receiving information about the incident, a team from Pinangwan police station reached the spot and recovered two empty cartridges, blood samples and blood-stained clothing. A forensic science team also inspected the scene and collected evidence.

Police said Rahul is wanted in multiple ATM cutting cases registered at Dwarka and Dabri police stations in Delhi and by the Special Cell in Meghalaya. Investigators added that he is also suspected to have been involved in similar ATM theft cases in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Officials said special teams have been formed to arrest the accused named in the case and raids are underway.