In a dramatic turn of events in Surat, a notorious criminal with a long history of serious offences was shot by police after he launched a violent attack on officers escorting him and attempted to seize a service weapon. The incident, which unfolded near a rivulet in Devadh village, involved Shiva Takla, the prime accused in a brutal double-murder case from December 2.
The Violent Confrontation During Transport
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-2) Dr. Kanan Desai, the Godadara police had been pursuing Takla relentlessly for over 15 days. The accused had been evading capture by constantly changing his hideouts. His arrest was finally executed on Tuesday in Ahmedabad. While being transported back to the Godadara police station in a police vehicle, Takla complained of feeling sick and needing to vomit, prompting the officers to halt the vehicle.
This plea, however, was a calculated ruse. Upon stopping, Takla seized a stone and launched a sudden assault on the police personnel accompanying him. In the ensuing scuffle, he aggressively tried to snatch the service revolver from a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI). Acting swiftly in self-defence, the police opened fire. A single bullet struck Takla in the leg, effectively neutralizing the immediate threat. No police personnel sustained injuries during the attack, although the police vehicle's window glass was shattered in the melee.
A Notorious Criminal's History and Recent Crimes
Shiva Takla, whose full name is Shivakant Lalan Yadav, is a native of Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh but has been active in criminal activities in the Surat region. Police records paint a picture of a hardened criminal with at least 17 serious crimes registered against him, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, bootlegging, and physical assault.
His criminal trajectory took a severe turn earlier this year when he was detained under the stringent Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act. Following his release, he allegedly became involved in a financial dispute that escalated into violence. On December 2, Takla is accused of attacking three individuals, resulting in the deaths of Soeb Shaikh and Nazim Sadik Raj, also known as Bhanja. The Godadara police had already arrested five other accused, including minors, by Monday, making Takla's capture the final piece in the puzzle for investigators.
Aftermath and Current Status
After being shot and subdued, a wounded Takla reportedly pleaded with the police with folded hands, promising to refrain from criminal activities in the future. He was immediately provided medical attention and shifted to SMIMER hospital in Surat for further treatment.
The incident underscores the dangers police personnel face while handling high-risk criminals with violent tendencies. The police action is being framed as a necessary measure of self-defence and to prevent the accused from potentially causing further harm or escaping custody. The investigation into the double murder case continues, with Takla's arrest and subsequent hospitalization marking a critical development.
