Highway Execution in UP: Mukhtar Ansari’s Alleged Aide Shoaib Kidwai as ‘Bobby’ Shot Dead in Broad Daylight

On the afternoon of Friday, 13 February 2026, Shoaib Kidwai, also known widely as Bobby, was brutally shot dead by unidentified assailants on the busy Lucknow–Ayodhya National Highway near the Aseni turn in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh. The attack — carried out in broad daylight — has reignited discussions around organised crime dynamics in the region.

The Incident: Ambush on a Busy Highway

According to police reports, Shoaib was travelling from Lucknow towards Barabanki alone in his car when motorcycle-borne shooters intercepted the vehicle near the Aseni turn. The attackers are said to have surrounded his car and fired multiple rounds — with some reports mentioning as many as 15 bullets — before fleeing the scene.

Eyewitnesses spoke of a sudden barrage of gunshots during midday, which caused panic among commuters and local residents. Despite quick arrival of police teams, Shoaib was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

Victim Profile: Shooter, Lawyer, or Something In-Between?

Shoaib Kidwai was a 50-year-old resident of the Barabanki/Lucknow area. Police sources have identified him as a former shooter linked to the gang of the late mafia-politician Mukhtar Ansari — a figure who dominated organised crime and regional politics in eastern Uttar Pradesh for decades.

Over his life, he reportedly faced numerous criminal cases, including murder and extortion, and his name came up in at least one **high-profile case — the 1999 murder of Lucknow jailer R.K. Tiwari — although he was later acquitted.

At the same time, Shoaib was also a legal practitioner, regularly attending court hearings in Barabanki and commuting from his home in Lucknow’s Mahanagar area. His family — including his wife and teenage son — maintained that he had been practising law for years and was not involved in criminal activity.

Investigation: Police Probe and Motive Theories

Senior police officials have launched a thorough investigation into the shooting. Forensic teams are combing the scene for evidence, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined. Multiple police teams have been tasked with identifying the attackers.

While no clear motive has been officially confirmed, investigators are examining several possibilities:

• Gang rivalry or organised crime retribution — given Shoaib’s past links with the Ansari network.

• Old enmities or power struggles among criminal elements, possibly arising from shifting allegiances after Mukhtar Ansari’s death.

• Personal vendettas, separate from broader gang politics.

Police officials have also heightened security in sensitive parts of Barabanki and neighbouring areas to prevent further escalation.

Legacy of a Notorious Network

Mukhtar Ansari — once a dominant figure in the underworld and five-time MLA — died in 2024, but the network he once led continues to draw attention from law enforcement and media alike. Shoaib was among several aides and associates whose activities blurred the lines between legal professions and underworld affiliations.

Conclusion

The killing of Shoaib Kidwai, also known as Bobby, in Barabanki is more than just another headline about a highway shooting — it reflects the lingering shadow of organised crime networks that continue to influence parts of Uttar Pradesh. Whether the motive ultimately proves to be gang rivalry, old enmity, or a personal vendetta, the brazenness of the daylight ambush on the Lucknow–Ayodhya highway has raised serious concerns about public safety.