Land dispute behind property dealer’s murder; STF nabs two

Lucknow: Four days after property dealer Sandeep Singh was peppered with bullets in the state capital, the UP Special Task Force (STF) cracked the case, uncovering what investigators described as a meticulously planned contract killing rooted in a long-running property dispute.

Police on Sunday arrested two key accused, including the alleged mastermind, and claimed that the murder was carried out by hired shooters who were promised Rs 10 lakh to eliminate the property dealer.

The arrests have exposed a conspiracy allegedly hatched months in advance over a bitter land dispute in Samda village in Kakori, where the victim and the prime accused were locked in litigation and legal battles.

The arrested accused have been identified as Dinesh Kumar Yadav, a property dealer originally from Ambedkar Nagar and currently residing in Kakori, Lucknow, and Mukarrabeen alias Mubeen, also a resident of Ambedkar Nagar. However, the STF said that an intermediary and two shooters are still absconding.

According to STF officials, Dinesh was the principal conspirator, while Mubeen played a crucial role in arranging the shooters, logistics and surveillance of the victim.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the STF intercepted Mubeen near the Dalauna underpass service lane on Sunday.

ASP, STF, Deepak Kumar Singh, said that Mubeen’s interrogation allegedly revealed the entire conspiracy, leading STF officials to summon Dinesh Yadav for questioning. After collecting what police described as substantial evidence linking him to the crime, he too was arrested.

“During questioning, Mubeen allegedly told investigators that Dinesh became increasingly frustrated by the ongoing litigation and frequently discussed eliminating his rival,” said ASP Deepak Kumar.

According to STF officials, Dinesh eventually instructed Mubeen to arrange Sandeep Singh’s murder. Mubeen, who has been working as Dinesh’s driver since 2016, allegedly contacted a middleman and negotiated a deal worth Rs 10 lakh for the killing. The intermediary then arranged for two shooters to execute the crime.

Mubeen allegedly arranged accommodation and local support for the shooters in Lucknow and helped them study the victim’s daily routine. Dinesh also provided money for the purchase of a motorcycle, the ASP said.