Shri Prakash Shukla, a notorious Indian gangster and contract killer, operated primarily in Uttar Pradesh during the 1990s. His life, marked by violence and crime, ended in a dramatic encounter with law enforcement.

Wiki/Biography

Born in 1973 in Mamkhor village near Hata Bazar, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was surprisingly known for his prowess in wrestling. He won several local championships before embarking on a life of crime at the young age of 20.

Family & Caste

Shukla hailed from a Brahmin family. His father was a school teacher, while details about his mother remain scarce. He had one younger sister, whose harassment triggered his descent into the criminal underworld.

Stepping into the World of Crime

Shukla’s criminal career began in 1993 after an incident involving his sister. This led to the murder of Rakesh Tiwari, marking his first criminal record. He briefly fled to Bangkok before returning to India and aligning himself with Suraj Bhan, a powerful and notorious politician in Mokama, Bihar.

Association with Suraj Bhan

Suraj Bhan served as a mentor and protector for Shukla. Under his tutelage, Shukla expanded his criminal operations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, and even Nepal. His activities included kidnapping, drug trafficking, lottery scams, and contract killings. Estimates suggest he was responsible for the deaths of around 20 individuals.

Creating Enemies for Himself

Shukla’s ruthless actions quickly made him enemies. The 1997 murder of Virendra Shahi, a powerful MLA, solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the Uttar Pradesh underworld. This act escalated his conflict with established mafias and put him on a collision course with law enforcement.

His crimes continued unabated. In May 1998, his gang kidnapped Kunal Rastogi, and Shukla murdered the boy’s father when he intervened. A month later, he killed Brij Behari Prasad, a Bihar minister, during a hospital surgery.

Plan to kill the then UP Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh

Adding to the gravity of his crimes, allegations surfaced that Shukla had accepted a contract of ₹6 crores to assassinate Kalyan Singh, the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The source of this information remained unconfirmed, but it significantly increased the urgency of apprehending him.

The Most Wanted Criminal

By his twenties, Shukla had become one of the most feared gangsters in Uttar Pradesh and North Bihar. His notoriety caused widespread panic amongst businessmen and even other criminals. He became a major headache for politicians who constantly pressured law enforcement to take action against him.

Finding the Key Clues

The television show “India’s Most Wanted” featured Shukla in two episodes, which inadvertently aided the police investigation. Threat calls made to the show’s host, along with anonymous tips, provided crucial information about Shukla’s movements and whereabouts.

Police investigations uncovered that Shukla resided in a Vasant Kunj apartment in Delhi and conducted much of his business during power outages. He often spent considerable time on the phone with his girlfriend. This information helped track his activities.

Death- A Relief from Shukla’s Terror

Shukla’s use of a single SIM card in his final weeks proved instrumental in his capture. An informant tipped off the STF about his planned flight to Ranchi, though he didn’t take it. Instead, his continued use of the same SIM card enabled the police to trace his location to Ghaziabad, where he was meeting his girlfriend.

On September 22, 1998, a police ambush on the Delhi-Ghaziabad highway resulted in a shootout. Shukla and his associates were killed after exchanging gunfire with the police. The death of such a notorious figure marked a significant victory for law enforcement.

The aftermath saw retaliatory actions by Shukla’s gang, including the murder of an STF member, Pritam Singh, in November 1998.

Facts/Trivia

Here are some notable facts about Shri Prakash Shukla:

• He was known for his passion for cars and women, maintaining numerous relationships.
• He had a penchant for flashy clothing.
• His life story has been depicted in various films and TV series.
• He had alleged connections with several influential political figures.
• He was known for his extreme demands, extorting money from builders.
• He always carried an AK-47 rifle.
• The Uttar Pradesh STF spent over ₹1 crore to capture him, a significant sum at the time.

Expenditure Breakdown of UP STF Operation (Illustrative)