Father-son duo murdered, their pick-up vehicle stolen

Bareilly: A 45-year-old man and his 21-year-old son from Sambhal were allegedly murdered after their newly purchased pick-up vehicle was robbed on April 2. Their bodies were found in a forest in UP’s Shamli five days after they went missing.Naresh Kumar and his son Bheemsen had left home on April 2 after their vehicle was hired for transporting a few masons. Family members said around 10 pm, Naresh spoke to a relative, saying they were near the Garh toll plaza on the Meerut-Delhi road. Soon after, both their phones were found switched off.When the family failed to contact them, Naresh’s wife approached the police as she suspected foul play. Sambhal ASP Kuldeep Singh said, “Manoj, 21, from whose phone the booking was made, travelled with the victims, along with two unidentified persons. Manoj has been arrested. The victims had bought the pick-up four months ago, and the motive behind the crime might be to steal the vehicle.”Despite initial efforts, police could not trace the duo for two days, prompting the family to stage a protest outside the ASP office. The breakthrough came on Tuesday when police received information about two bodies in a forested area in Shamli. “A team was sent to Shamli, and after identification, the bodies were brought to Sambhal,” the ASP said.Tension escalated during the last rites on Wednesday as angry villagers demanded swift action against the accused. Hundreds marched towards Dhanari police station with the bodies, clashed with police, and blocked the highway by placing the bodies on the road and raising slogans against the administration for hours. ASP added, “The law and order in the village is under control, and the bodies have been cremated.”Villagers are demanding a govt job for a family member and compensation of Rs 50 lakh.