Lawyer arrested for killing friend over monetary dispute

Prayagraj: A joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG), surveillance unit and Dilipur police on Wednesday arrested a 28-year-old lawyer for allegedly killing his friend over a monetary dispute on March 9.The accused, Saddam of Achalpur — who practises in the Pratapgarh district court — was held with a 0.32-bore pistol and a live cartridge, police said. Saddam told police he had recently purchased a plot from his friend Aasif for Rs 58 lakh. When Aasif started pressing him for the payment, Saddam allegedly began avoiding him and decided to eliminate him. Police said he made two failed attempts before succeeding the third time. According to officials, Saddam knew Aasif had a strained relationship with his wife and planned the killing near her village to mislead police. He also left his mobile phone at home on the day of the crime to avoid being traced. A video that later went viral on social media showed Aasif riding a motorcycle with Saddam sitting pillion. Police said Saddam called Aasif on the pretext of handing over the money and took him to a deserted spot in the forest area of Chaukhra village. While sitting on the pillion seat, he allegedly fired two shots at Aasif's head. He then contacted his associate, Sandeep Gupta of Badshahpur in Jaunpur district, and fled. After the murder, Saddam allegedly threw Aasif's mobile phone into the Sai river from the Jiryamau bridge.