Meerut, June 18 -- A murder accused dramatically escaped police custody in Rampur late Monday night after snatching a service pistol from a head constable, only to be captured hours later during a police encounter that left him with a bullet wound to the leg.

The accused, Saddam, had been detained for questioning in connection with the shocking abduction and murder of 25-year-old Nihal, a groom-to-be who was killed just a day before his wedding. Saddam, a resident of Dhanupura village, was being taken to a location to help police recover the victim's mobile phone and other evidence when he overpowered a head constable and fled with his pistol.

According to CO City Jitendra Singh, Saddam opened fire while being chased. Police retaliated ...