UP man killed, body run over by tractor to pass off murder as road accident

A 24-year-old man was allegedly murdered and his body run over by a tractor in an attempt to portray the crime as a road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district, police said on Thursday. Three accused have been arrested in connection with the case, while efforts are underway to trace a fourth suspect.

The incident took place in Luhari village under the Baraut Kotwali police station limits. According to the victim's family, Ankur left his home on July 18 after being called by four men from the village, identified as Narendra, Pushpendra, Bijendra and Akshay. While the four later returned, Ankur did not, and the family claimed they were given misleading information when they inquired about his whereabouts.

After an extensive search, Ankur's body was found on July 20 on a road outside the village. His family alleged that deep injuries on his neck indicated he had been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon before his body was deliberately run over by a tractor to make the death appear to be a road accident.

3 ARRESTED, 1 ABSCONDING

Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's family, police registered a case and arrested three accused—Bijendra, Pushpendra and Narendra. The fourth accused, Akshay, is absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

The victim's sister, Dimple, alleged that her brother was lured out of the house and killed, claiming the family was not receiving adequate support. His father, Rammehar, alleged that Ankur had been taken away by the accused, made to consume alcohol, and later murdered. He further claimed the body was run over by a tractor after the killing in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Police said the arrested accused are being questioned to ascertain the motive behind the murder and the role of the absconding suspect. A press note regarding the arrests, along with photographs of the accused, has been released by the Baghpat Police media cell. The investigation is ongoing.