LUCKNOW, April 2 -- The fatal encounter of Ashu alias Monty alias Moti, an alleged gangster linked to organised crime across western Uttar Pradesh, exposed a violent criminal network stretching back 16 years. Police records implicate him in at least 36 serious cases across five districts.

The Rs.50,000 rewardee, allegedly an operative of the Udham Singh gang, was killed during a late-night encounter near Thakurdwara bypass in Moradabad's Civil Lines area. Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) members from Meerut along with Moradabad police intercepted him following specific intelligence inputs on Wednesday night.

According to the STF, Ashu, a native of Mirapur Kala village in Hapur's Hafizpur area, was the alleged prime accused in a re...