India, Feb. 26 -- In a scene reminiscent of a crime thriller, the Meerut police on Thursday nabbed a man accused of gunning down his wife's alleged lover in a busy market, following a dramatic 40-minute standoff in a sugarcane field during which he repeatedly threatened officers with a country-made pistol before surrendering.

According to police, the accused, Pradeep, was cornered by officers but refused to give himself up, alternately drinking water and smoking a bidi while pointing the weapon at them. Every time personnel tried to approach, he warned them he would shoot. After prolonged persuasion and assurances from senior officials, he finally surrendered and was taken into custody.

The accused was booked under BNS section 103 (murd...