Lucknow: Notorious Gangster Vikas Dubey was killed in an encounter on Friday morning, after a road mishap while being taken to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh from Madhya Pradesh. He was arrested on Thursday morning near Ujjain Mahankali temple in Madhya Pradesh.

While the police escort with Vikas Dubey was on the way just an hour short of Kanpur, the escort convey which Vikas Dubey was being taken overturned on the highway that was slick with rain and he was tried to escape after snatching a gun, according to the police. He was shot dead; said police had also tried to escape from custody.

According to police sources, Vikas Dubey snatched the pistol of one of the Special Task Force men escorting him and tried to run but was surrounded. “Four policemen were injured in the accident today. Vikas Dubey has been killed in police encounter,” said Mohit Agarwal, Inspector General, and Kanpur. Visuals after the incident showed Vikas Dubey being taken away on a stretcher. He was declared dead in hospital.

On the run since he organized the massacre of policemen at his village in Kanpur last Friday, Vikas Dubey was arrested yesterday at the famous Mahakal temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. He was spotted by temple security guards when he bought prasad and entered the temple. When he was confronted by the guards, he lashed out and was taken to the police. “Main Vikas Dubey hoon, Kanpur wala! (I am Vikas Dubey, the Kanpur guy),” he burst out, held by several Madhya Pradesh policemen.

Dubey, in his 50s, had over 60 criminal cases against him, including murder, kidnapping and extortion. His alleged links with the police and politicians helped him stay out of jail for years. The UP administration tore down Dubey’s house and launched a massive hunt for him. Two policemen were arrested for allegedly helping him and over 60 local cops shunted out. Dubey’s wife and son were found in Lucknow and were taken for questioning last evening.