In a major breakthrough in the murder case of Air India crew member Suraj Maan, the Noida police arrested a wanted shooter, Sikandar alias Satendra, following an intense encounter on Thursday evening. The arrest comes nearly a year after the gruesome killing, which was allegedly linked to a gang war between two jailed gangsters, Pravesh Maan and Kapil Maan. Suraj Maan, who was gunned down in Greater Noida in January 2024, was the brother of gangster Pravesh Maan.
Sikandar, a key suspect in the murder case, had been on the run for months and carried a bounty of ₹25,000 on his head. Acting on intelligence inputs, the police intensified their efforts to track him down. On Thursday evening, a police team was conducting routine vehicle checks at the Shashi Chowk cut on Dadri Road under the jurisdiction of Sector 39 police station. During the operation, a man riding a motorcycle without a number plate was spotted. When signaled to stop, the suspect attempted to flee, prompting the police to give chase.
As the pursuit escalated, Sikandar tried to evade capture by heading towards the forested area of Sector 42. Realizing he was surrounded, he opened fire on the police team in a desperate bid to escape. In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring Sikandar. He was immediately overpowered and taken into custody before being rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. The police recovered a pistol, live cartridges, and the motorcycle used by the accused. Preliminary investigations revealed that the motorcycle had been stolen, and a theft case had already been registered against Sikandar at Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad.
The case dates back to January 19, 2024, when Suraj Maan was shot dead in broad daylight in what was suspected to be a targeted attack. Sikandar, along with his associates Kuldeep alias Kallu and Abdul Qadir, had allegedly carried out the murder under the directives of their gang leaders. The killing was believed to be a consequence of the ongoing rivalry between Pravesh Maan and Kapil Maan, both of whom are currently lodged in prison. The brutal nature of the crime had sent shockwaves through the region and triggered a massive manhunt for those involved.
Over the past year, law enforcement agencies had made significant progress in the case, arresting eleven individuals linked to the murder. However, Sikandar had managed to evade capture, leading the police to issue a bounty on his head. His arrest marks a crucial development in the case, as investigators believe he holds key information regarding the gang’s operations and the larger network involved in orchestrating the crime.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Manish Kumar Mishra confirmed the arrest and emphasized that the crackdown on organized crime in the region would continue. He noted that the police had been actively working to dismantle the criminal syndicates operating in the area and that efforts were underway to apprehend any remaining suspects linked to the case. With Sikandar’s capture, authorities are hopeful that further interrogations will provide deeper insights into the gang’s activities and lead to more arrests in the coming days.
The case has highlighted the persistent gang rivalry in the region and the challenges law enforcement faces in tackling organized crime. The Noida police, in coordination with other agencies, have been focusing on eliminating such networks to ensure the safety and security of residents. As the investigation progresses, officials remain committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice and preventing further incidents of violence stemming from gang wars.
