UP man pays hitmen Rs 3.5 lakh to shoot uncle dead over land dispute; arrested

Police have arrested a nephew and four others over Vijaypal Singh's murder in Bijnor. Investigators say a court-pending land dispute prompted the Rs 3.5 lakh contract killing.

In Short

• Vijaypal Singh was attacked while ploughing his field on October 21
• CCTV footage showed suspicious men travelling on two motorcycles nearby
• Police recovered four country-made pistols and live cartridges near a canal

A dispute over nine-and-a-half bighas of land led a man to plot the murder of his own uncle in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor, with police claiming that he paid three men Rs 3.5 lakh to carry out the killing. The uncle, Vijaypal Singh, was shot dead while ploughing his field on October 21.

Police have arrested five people in connection with the murder, including the victim's nephew, Prince, the three men hired to kill him, and a man accused of supplying the firearms used in the crime. Four country-made pistols and live cartridges have also been recovered, according to police.

LAND DISPUTE BEHIND THE MURDER

The case dates back to October 21, when Vijaypal Singh, a resident of Kelnpur village in the Chandpur police station area, left home on his tractor to plough his field. He was sitting on the tractor when he was shot dead.

His body was found on the tractor in the field, triggering panic in the area. Police reached the spot after receiving information and launched an investigation.

NEPHEW PAID RS 3.5 LAKH FOR KILLING

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas. The footage revealed the movement of suspicious people on two motorcycles, leading investigators to examine the role of Prince and other suspects.

Police subsequently detained Prince, Sanu, Mohammed Faizan and Ravish for questioning.

According to Bijnor SP KK Bishnoi, Vijaypal and his nephew Prince had been embroiled in a dispute over nine-and-a-half bighas of land. The matter was pending before a court.

Police said Prince believed that killing his uncle would allow him to take possession of the disputed property. To execute the plan, he hired Sanu, Mohammed Faizan and Ravish for Rs 3.5 lakh.

Of the agreed amount, Rs 20,000 was paid to Faizan in advance. The remaining sum was to be paid after the murder, police said.

WEAPONS HIDDEN NEAR CANAL AFTER MURDER

After shooting Vijaypal dead on October 21, the accused fled on two motorcycles, according to police.

Investigators said the accused hid the firearms used in the crime in bushes near a canal in Rampur Nazrana to evade detection. During questioning, the suspects led police to the spot, where the weapons were recovered.

Police said four country-made pistols and live cartridges were recovered during the operation.

FIFTH ACCUSED ARRESTED FOR SUPPLYING WEAPONS

Apart from Prince, Sanu, Mohammed Faizan and Ravish, police arrested a fifth accused, Vineet Kumar, a resident of Nawabpur in the Mandi Dhanaura police station area of Amroha district.

According to police, Vineet supplied the firearms used in the murder.

All five accused have been arrested and sent to jail, police said.

- Ends