LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a fugitive carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh in connection with the daylight murder of Lucknow-based property dealer Sandeep Singh.The accused, identified as Sachin Kumar (son of Bharat Lal), a resident of Mubarakpur in Ambedkar Nagar district, was apprehended late on Wednesday night near Dalauna under the Kisan Path overbridge in the PGI police station area of Lucknow.According to the STF, the accused was arrested at around 11.15 pm on July 8 during a joint operation conducted with the PGI police following specific intelligence inputs.During the arrest, police recovered a 0.32 bore illegal pistol allegedly used in the murder, three live cartridges, the number plate-less motorcycle used in the crime, and Rs 2,200 in cash.The arrest is linked to the sensational murder of property dealer Sandeep Singh, who was shot dead on May 27, 2026 in the PGI area of Lucknow. An FIR (Case No. 291/2026) was registered at PGI police station under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Following the murder, the STF constituted multiple teams to identify the conspirators, shooters and facilitators. The operation was carried out under the supervision of additional superintendent of police Deepak Kumar Singh.The STF said it had already arrested two accused, including the main conspirator, on May 31, while Gangaram Yadav, who allegedly arranged the shooters, was arrested on June 15.The main shooter, Sanjay alias Sanjeev, was later injured in a police encounter on June 27 and died during treatment. Since then, STF teams had been searching for Sachin Kumar across Lucknow, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.Police said they received information on July 8 that Sachin would arrive near Dalauna to meet someone. Acting on the tip-off, the STF and PGI police laid a trap and arrested him.During interrogation, Sachin allegedly admitted that he was riding the motorcycle while shooter Sanjay fired at Sandeep Singh.According to the STF, Sachin disclosed that the murder was allegedly orchestrated due to an ongoing enmity between businessman Dinesh Yadav and Sandeep Singh.He claimed that Dinesh’s driver, Mukarrabin, introduced Dinesh to Gangaram Yadav, who had links with history-sheeter Dilip Kumar Verma and members of the Khan Mubarak gang.The accused alleged that Gangaram introduced him and Sanjay to Dinesh Yadav, who allegedly paid ₹1 lakh as advance to Sanjay for executing the murder, with the remaining payment promised after the job was completed.Sachin told investigators that Dilip Kumar Verma allegedly supplied the firearm used in the killing and assured the shooters that payment would not be an issue once the murder was carried out. He further claimed that he was promised Rs 2 lakh for assisting in the operation.The accused stated that he and Sanjay visited Lucknow two to three times before the murder to conduct surveillance. According to his statement, Dinesh allegedly showed them Sandeep Singh’s residence, office, daily route, and details of his vehicles.To facilitate the reconnaissance, the accused said they were provided money to purchase a white Apache motorcycle from a dealership in Aminabad. They allegedly removed its number plate before using it for surveillance and the eventual attack.Sachin claimed that he and Sanjay reached Lucknow on May 20, but could not find an opportunity to execute the plan immediately.On May 27, they allegedly followed Sandeep Singh’s vehicle from near Deen Dayal Park. As soon as the property dealer stopped outside his office, Sachin allegedly halted the motorcycle beside the victim’s car, after which Sanjay got off and fired three shots at Sandeep Singh’s chest and head before the duo fled the spot.The accused further told investigators that anticipating an intensive police crackdown after the high-profile murder, he and Sanjay buried the pistol in a pit after wrapping it in plastic.Following his arrest, Sachin allegedly led the STF to the spot near Devi Singh Kheda village, where the murder weapon was recovered.Police said Sachin remained absconding after the murder and kept changing locations across Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Ayodhya, Azamgarh and Mumbai.After learning that Sanjay had died following the police encounter, he allegedly became fearful and had been trying to surrender before a court. He claimed he had come to Lucknow on Wednesday to search for a lawyer when he was arrested.The accused has been handed over to the PGI police, where further legal proceedings are underway.
