Mukhtar Ansari gang’s shooter Anuj Kannaujia. Photo: X/ANI via Amitabh Yash, ADG UP STF

“A criminal carrying a cash reward of ₹2.5 lakh was killed in an encounter in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur,” police said on Saturday (March 29, 2025).

“Anuj Kanaujia, a shooter of Mukhtar gang, who was carrying a cash reward of ₹2.5 lakh was killed in an encounter after a heavy exchange of fire in Jamshedpur with a joint team of U.P. STF and Jharkhand Police,” said Additional Director General of Police (U.P. Special Task Force, law and order) Amitabh Yash.

The 42-year-old Kanaujia, a resident of Bahlolpur village in Chiraiyakot police station area of Mau district, committed his first murder in 2003 in Ranipur police station area of the same district.

Over the years, he became infamous for several criminal activities, including murder, attempted murder, and extortion. A total of 23 criminal cases, including under the Gangster Act, murder, attempt to murder were registered against him across Mau, Ghazipur, and Azamgarh districts.

Mr. Yash said during the encounter, police recovered two pistols – one 9mm and one .32 bore – from Kanaujia. 9mm pistols are commonly used by police and military forces.

“Incidentally, Kanaujia met his end on the first death anniversary of Mukhtar Ansari, the very gangster under whose shadow he rose to power in the criminal world,” the STF said.

Ansari (63), a five-time MLA from Mau Sadar, passed away on March 28, 2024, in a Banda hospital due to an alleged cardiac arrest while lodged in Banda district jail.

Police sources said Kanaujia initially entered the world of crime due to personal enmity in his village. Ansari provided him protection, and he soon became a feared sharpshooter in the gang.

His notoriety grew as he extorted money from businessmen in Mau and surrounding districts.

His wife, Reena, and a relative, Shivratan, who assisted him in extortion activities, were arrested in Jamshedpur nearly two years ago. Since 2022, Kanaujia had been residing in Jamshedpur with his wife. However, following her arrest, he temporarily left the city before returning under a different identity. He managed to evade police capture by frequently changing locations, taking refuge in cities across Bihar and Jharkhand.

Apart from extortion, he was also involved in securing commissions from contract deals.

The senior police official said as many as 23 cases were registered against Kanaujia at various police stations in the Mau, Ghazipur and Azamgarh districts.

“Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) STF, DK Shahi, who led the team, has received a firearm injury,” he added.