Govt teacher among 3 held for killing man over multi-crore land dispute

Agra: Three men, including a govt school teacher, were arrested on Saturday in Mainpuri district for allegedly killing a man and attempting to pass it off as a road accident.

The incident was brought to light when the body of Waris Ali, 90, a resident of Kurawali town, was found on the Fatehjangpur underpass service road on May 20. Police said initial evidence suggested that Ali died in a road accident, but a detailed investigation involving four police teams, CCTV footage analysis and call detail records revealed that the death was a planned murder.

Police said govt teacher Arun Kumar, 48, had developed close relations with Ali and allegedly coveted his roadside land, estimated to be worth several crores of rupees. Fearing that their land transactions would come to light, Kumar roped in associates Ravindra Solanki, 45, and Rishibabu, 35, and conspired to eliminate Ali.

On May 19, the three accused allegedly murdered Ali and dumped his body on the roadside to make the crime appear to be an accident. An iron rod, a pillow and Ali’s Aadhaar card were later recovered.

Kurawali SHO Lalit Bhati said a case has been registered under multiple sections of BNS, including section 103 for murder. “They were produced before a court. Further investigation is underway,” he said.