Avinash alias Janu, a notorious criminal with a ₹50,000 bounty on his head, was arrested on Friday following a tense encounter in Tundla, Firozabad. Janu, who had previously escaped after snatching a government-issued pistol from a Delhi Police officer, turned violent when surrounded by police. He fired directly at IPS officer Melvin Varghese and Inspector Ramkumar, hitting their bulletproof vests but causing no physical injuries. The police returned fire in self-defense, shooting Janu in both legs before apprehending him.

Janu, a resident of Malviya Nagar, Delhi, had attacked a beat officer in Safdarjung Enclave on January 22, stealing his official pistol before fleeing. Using surveillance and tracking, the Delhi Police traced him to Tundla, where the dramatic encounter unfolded.

Records indicate that Janu entered the world of crime in 2012, allegedly committing his first robbery to fund his girlfriend’s extravagant lifestyle. Over the years, he became a highly skilled and dangerous criminal, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement. The injured criminal has been admitted to the hospital, and police are investigating to identify other members of his network.