Man held for killing Delhi-based lawyer over property dispute

Police registered an FIR under sections of murder and the Arms Act.

During the investigation, the involvement of Pradeep alias Praveen and an associate came up, as there was an ongoing feud between the duo and the victim, a senior police officer said.

Though police said they mounted technical surveillance on the accused, the mobile phone was switched off and they did not use any other gadget.

It was further revealed that Pradeep was found using a white Accent car, police said, adding that all exit points, toll nakas, and cameras were checked to track the vehicle and the route. “His vehicle was constantly on the move, and he slept in his vehicle and mostly took routes from smaller villages that were away from the highway,” Special Commissioner of Police (crime) Ravindra Yadav said.

After tracing Pradeep for hundreds of kilometres in NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, Pradeep (39) was caught from Bahalgarh in Sonipat late last night, while he was trying to flee, police said.

According to Yadav, Pradeep started wrestling at Guru Hanuman Akhara in Roshanara Road. When he couldn’t get sufficient money from his family for personal needs, he started committing car theft, police added.

“The accused’s family has a property dispute with Narwal. Pradeep and his associates tried to kill him in 2017, and an FIR was registered,” Yadav said.

In 2017, Pradeep and his associates allegedly attacked Kumar over the ancestral property in Prashant Vihar, after which security cover was provided to the advocate. However, in 2021, the security was removed, an officer said.

A senior police officer said, “Five accused were arrested in the 2017 case. One of them is a major suspect in the murder case. In 2017, the victim had a narrow escape. Security was withdrawn as per protocols.”

Pradeep has been involved in 12 criminal cases in the city, police said.