A dramatic police encounter took place in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh, where two notorious criminals were arrested after opening fire on the police while trying to escape. According to officials, the accused were on their way to meet their girlfriends when they allegedly carried out a major robbery at the house of a government officer.
The arrested men have been identified as Kamruddin, a resident of Motihari in Bihar, and Dhirendra Singh alias Dheeraj, a resident of Hamirpur. Police said both had girlfriends in Hardoi, whom they met while the women were working in Noida. Around Valentine’s Day on February 14, the two arrived in Hardoi to meet them. During their visit, they allegedly planned and executed a robbery in a posh residential area of the city.
Irrigation Department Officer’s House Targeted
On the night of February 17–18, the accused allegedly broke into the locked house of Sunil Johri, an administrative officer in the irrigation department, located in Azad Nagar under Kotwali City police station limits. After surveying the area on a motorcycle, they forced open the lock and fled with jewellery, cash, laptops, and mobile phones worth several lakhs of rupees.
Encounter During Escape Attempt
Following a tip-off, police intensified vehicle checks on the Bawan Road bypass. When officers signaled a suspicious motorcycle to stop, the riders attempted to flee and reportedly opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory action, police fired back, injuring both accused in their legs. They were overpowered, arrested, and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Weapons, Stolen Items Recovered
Police recovered two illegal .315-bore pistols, live cartridges, stolen jewellery, a laptop, a mobile phone, and the motorcycle used in the crime. Investigations revealed that Dhirendra Singh had a long criminal history and was earlier injured in a police encounter in Agra in 2021 in a case involving robbery and attempted murder. Both accused are said to have multiple cases registered against them under charges of robbery, dacoity, and the Arms Act across Noida, Agra, and other districts.
Providing information, Subodh Gautam, Additional Superintendent of Police, and Ankit Mishra, Circle Officer (City), said police are now tracing the wider criminal network linked to the duo to identify other associates involved in similar crimes.
