Controversy surrounded gunning down of an MBA qualified youth in an alleged police encounter, with his parents claiming that he has no criminal history, raising doubts that it could be a killing in a case of mistaken identity.

Ranbir Singh, 22, hailing from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, was shot dead yesterday in an alleged encounter with police in Ladpur jungles here.

"We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident," Principal Secretary Home Subhash Kumar said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, said the youth, who was riding a motor cycle along with two others, snatched the revolver of a constable when their two-wheeler was stopped during a checking of vehicles in view of President Pratibha Patil's visit.

However, Ranbir's father Ravinder Singh said his son is innocent. "Show me his criminal record. The police just killed him to get (gallantry) medals. And the police are threatening me now," he said, sobbing and trying to console his wife.

Uttarakhand Inspector General of Police N A Ganapati said the three boys were asked to stop by G D Bhatt, a sub-inspector at Dalanwala area. When the police searched their bag, a weapon was found in it, he said, adding that the boys overpowered a policeman, snatched his revolver and fled.

When the SI flashed a message over the wireless, the boys were intercepted at another place and there was an encounter in which Ranbir was killed, Ganapati said.