A 20-year-old man from Meerut has alleged that he was shot by police in an encounter in 2019 while returning home after distributing his sister’s wedding invitations. Seven years later, he remains paralysed from the waist down and says he is still waiting to know why he was shot.
Sheman Khan said the incident destroyed his life and left him bedridden.
“I wish I had died. At least that would have been better than living like this,” Khan said.
According to a report by journalists Piyush Rai and Sachin Gupta, Khan was riding back home when plainclothes policemen allegedly intercepted him and opened fire.
"Wish I had died"
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) June 27, 2026
Sheman Khan, 20, was returning after distributing his sister's wedding invite, when he was ambused by policemen in plain clothes in Meerut, UP. He was shot thrice in his waist. One of the bullets ruptured the lower back and left him paralyzed waist down. For… pic.twitter.com/tQff1xg7QU
Shot three times, unable to walk
Khan said he was hit by three bullets in his waist. One of the bullets damaged his lower spine, leaving him permanently unable to walk.
“For the last seven years, I have been sitting on this cot. Doctors told me I would never walk again. I can only sit, lie down, or stand with someone’s support,” he said.
He said before the encounter he had no criminal record. However, the police later accused him of motorcycle robbery.
Khan denies robbery allegations
Rejecting the allegations, Khan said the motorcycle he was riding had been newly bought for his sister’s wedding and all legal documents were with him.
“My bike was new. I had all the papers. I still don’t know why they shot me or what crime they thought I committed,” he said.
Khan also said no police officer has ever returned to explain the action taken against him.
“No one has ever come to tell me why I was shot. Today, you are the first people who came to ask,” he added.
Seven years of pain and struggle
For Khan, life has become a daily struggle. He says he cannot walk, run, or even stand without support.
“When I see people walking in front of me, it hurts. I cannot move on my own. I cannot do anything. It would have been better if I had died,” he said.
The report says Khan is one among many alleged encounter victims in Uttar Pradesh who have been left permanently disabled. In some cases, victims reportedly lost limbs during treatment.
Questions over encounter policing in Uttar Pradesh
Encounter policing has remained one of the most debated issues in Uttar Pradesh. According to official figures cited in the report, more than 17,000 police encounters have taken place in the state in the last nine years.
Out of these, over 290 accused were killed, while more than 1,000 sustained bullet injuries, many in their legs.
While the government has defended the policy as tough action against crime, human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over alleged fake encounters, misuse of power, and lack of accountability.
