LUCKNOW: The sensational murder of a 26-year-old recovery agent, whose body was found dead inside the Swastik Finance office in Banthra area on Tuesday, was carried out by his employer, police said on Wednesday.
Kunal Shukla was killed by his employer,
Vivek Singh (34), over suspicion of an affair with his wife spiralled out of control. Kunal's head was smashed brutally with an iron rod, his face disfigured beyond recognition, and his phone was missing. His elder brother lodged a complaint, leading Banthra police to register a
murder case.
Within 24 hours, a joint team of Banthra police and the surveillance cell cracked the case. "We arrested Vivek Singh and his associate Wasim Ali Khan (35) from Gauribazar and recovered the weapon of murder along with other incriminating evidence," said DCP South Nipun Agarwal.
Investigators said Singh grew convinced of Kunal's affair after discovering photographs of the two feeding cake to each other at a birthday celebration. On Sept 8 night, Singh allegedly served alcohol to Kunal until he passed out in the office. At 9.30 pm, he called Wasim with a coded message: "The weather is clear. Kunal is asleep."
Wasim entered the office and struck Kunal repeatedly on head and face with an iron crowbar, killing him instantly. The murder weapon was flung behind the boundary wall, while Kunal's mobile was dumped into a drain to erase digital traces. Bloodstained clothes were later recovered on Wasim's pointing. "This was not a crime of passion committed in the heat of the moment but a meticulously planned murder. Roles were assigned, and cover-up measures were put in place. Our teams worked relentlessly to recover every crucial piece of evidence," said ADCP South Vasanth Rallapalli.
Police also revealed Singh lured Wasim into the crime by promising to build him a house and provide financial help. Singh, who earlier faced jail in a separate murder case, ran the finance office where Kunal worked as a recovery agent.
Kunal's elder brother, Saurabh, broke down while speaking to reporters: "My brother was killed by those close to him. His head was crushed, one eye gouged. We were planning his marriage in two years. He wanted to build his life through hard work."
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