Hyderabad: Shaik Riyaz, the accused in the stabbing death of a police constable in Nizamabad town, was shot dead by police on Monday while allegedly attempting to escape from the Government General Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.
According to Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy, Riyaz allegedly seized a weapon from policemen on duty and tried to open fire while attempting to flee. “As per information from local police, Riyaz attacked the police again, snatched a weapon, and tried to fire at them. He died when the police attempted to stop him,” the DGP said in a statement.
Riyaz had earlier, on Sunday, attacked a citizen named Asif, who had assisted police in his arrest, seriously injuring him. Asif is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Hyderabad.
Nizamabad Police Commissioner P. Sai Chaitanya, along with senior officials, visited the hospital following the incident.
Riyaz, a habitual offender, had escaped after allegedly stabbing to death a police constable two days prior. He was arrested on Sunday near Sarangapur under the limits of Nizamabad Town 6 Police Station, with the help of Asif.
The Nizamabad Police Commissioner had clarified at the time that Riyaz was captured alive and denied reports of an encounter. He also dismissed circulating social media claims that police had opened fire on the accused.
Police said a team reached Sarangapur following a tip-off that Riyaz was hiding in a shed. On spotting the police, he attempted to flee. Asif, who was nearby, tried to apprehend him. Riyaz allegedly attacked Asif with a knife, but the police managed to capture him after surrounding him. Both Riyaz and Asif sustained injuries during the scuffle and were taken to the hospital for treatment.
The chain of events leading to the arrest began on the night of October 17, when Riyaz, 24, allegedly stabbed constable E. Pramod, 42, to death after being apprehended in connection with a bike theft case. Constable Pramod, along with his nephew, had gone to arrest Riyaz. While Pramod was riding the bike and his nephew was pillion-riding, the accused was placed between them.
Riyaz reportedly attacked Pramod with a knife, and when the nephew tried to intervene, he was stabbed as well. Two aides of Riyaz arrived on a bike and helped him escape. A sub-inspector attempting to stop them was also assaulted. Pramod was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead, while his nephew continues to receive treatment.
Following the murder, the DGP had ordered a manhunt for Riyaz, leading to the formation of nine police teams to track him down.
With IANS inputs