From Revenge to Ruin: The rise and fall of Mukhtar Ansari’s sharpshooter Anuj Kanaujia

KUMUD JENAMANI

 

Jamshedpur, March 30: Anuj Kanaujia stepped into the world of crime in 2003, seeking vengeance for his brother’s murder in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district.

What began as an act of retribution soon turned into a life of crime, leading him into the ranks of the dreaded gangster Mukhtar Ansari. Over the years, he became a feared sharpshooter, orchestrating murders, extortions, and abductions across UP.

But his reign ended in a dramatic police encounter in Jamshedpur late last night. Cornered by a joint operation of the Uttar Pradesh STF and Jharkhand ATS, Kanaujia opened fire in a desperate bid to escape. In retaliation, the police shot him down, bringing an end to his decades-long criminal saga.

A resident of Bahlolpur village under Chirayakot police station in Mau, Anuj killed one Sarad Singh in 2003 as retribution for the murder of his brother, Manoj Kanaujia. Following the act, he absconded and eventually sought refuge in the gang of the notorious Mukhtar Ansari.

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Over time, Anuj became a trusted hitman for Ansari, honing his sharpshooting skills and gaining prominence in the gang. At the peak of Mukhtar Ansari’s reign of terror in Uttar Pradesh—where he wielded both criminal and political influence—Anuj carried out multiple crimes, including murder, extortion, and abduction, across Mau, Azamgarh, and Gorakhpur. His notoriety led to 23 criminal cases being registered against him, with the Uttar Pradesh police announcing a bounty of ₹2.5 lakh on his head.

A Crime-Fuelled Love Story

During his criminal heyday, Anuj married Reena Roy in a manner reminiscent of Bollywood films. The couple’s story took a dark turn when Anuj murdered a local youth who had been harassing Reena. He then married her, and shockingly, she soon became involved in the world of crime as well. Reena actively participated in extortion rackets targeting businessmen. She was arrested a few years ago by Jamshedpur police and remains in a UP jail, awaiting bail.

Fleeing UP’s Crackdown

As the Uttar Pradesh administration intensified its crackdown on organised crime, Anuj fled the state and began hiding in various locations across Bihar and Jharkhand.

He first arrived in Jamshedpur in 2022, staying in different safe houses in Parsudih and Govindpur. However, after Reena’s arrest—along with one of his associates—Anuj fled the city, only to return later and take refuge in a compound known as Bhumiyar Mansion.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a politically connected individual had sheltered him, and his return to Jamshedpur was allegedly to eliminate a local man with a dubious background.

The Encounter That Ended Anuj’s Reign

Late last night, Anuj Kanaujia was gunned down in a police encounter under the Govindpur police station area. The joint operation was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Jharkhand Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), sending shockwaves across the Steel City.

Acting on intelligence, the UP STF tracked Anuj’s hideout in Govindpur and coordinated with Jharkhand ATS for the operation. As security forces surrounded the area, Anuj opened fire on the police. In retaliation, the UP STF shot him down. He was later taken to MGM Medical College Hospital, where doctors formally declared him dead.

During the encounter, a UP STF officer, DSP D.K. Shahi, sustained injuries and was admitted to Tata Main Hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishore Kaushal, City SP Kumar Shibashish, and Rural SP Rishabh Garg rushed to the scene soon after the encounter.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Anuj’s presence at Bhumiyar Mansion and the identity of those who facilitated his stay.