Hindu Mahasabha Leader Wanted in Businessman's Murder Case: Allegations of Affair and Contract Killing in Aligarh

Abhishek Gupta's father has claimed his son was romantically involved with Pooja Shakun Pandey.

Aligarh (UP):

Hindu Mahasabha leader Pooja Shakun Pandey, previously notorious for controversially reenacting Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 2019, is now evading authorities in connection with a murder case in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. While her husband Ashok Pandey has been apprehended, police teams continue searching for her. Authorities have stated that the couple contracted a hitman to kill businessman Abhishek Gupta over financial disagreements. However, the victim's father has made a startling allegation - claiming Abhishek was involved in a relationship with Pooja Shakun Pandey, who allegedly ordered his murder when he attempted to end their affair.

A Businessman's Tragic End

Abhishek Gupta, a 30-year-old motorcycle showroom owner, was waiting for a bus with his father Neeraj Gupta and cousin Jeetu at an Aligarh intersection around 9:30 PM on September 23. After his father and cousin boarded the arriving bus, Abhishek was approached by two men on a motorcycle who shot him before he could board. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. In his police statement, Neeraj Gupta accused Pooja Shakun Pandey and her husband Ashok Pandey of orchestrating the murder due to monetary disputes.

Ashok Pandey has been detained while Pooja Shakun Pandey remains at large.

Investigation Breakthrough Reveals Contract Killing

Police recently arrested Mohammad Fazal, one of the alleged shooters involved in Abhishek Gupta's murder. According to authorities, Fazal confessed that the killing was a contract hit carried out by himself and his associate Asif. He revealed that the Pandey couple had planned Abhishek's murder and offered them Rs 3 lakh for executing it.

Senior police officer Neeraj Kumar Jadaun explained that investigators tracked down Fazal after examining CCTV footage from the crime scene and interrogating individuals familiar with both the Pandeys and Abhishek's family. While Ashok Pandey has been arrested, police continue searching for Pooja Shakun Pandey and the second shooter, Asif.

In his media statement, Ashok Pandey claimed they had close ties with Abhishek, asserting that the young man had stayed at their residence and studied there. He accused Abhishek's father of fabricating allegations and claimed Neeraj Gupta owed him Rs 10 lakh.

Police Investigation Details

Officer Jadaun confirmed that Abhishek's father had named both Pandeys in his initial complaint. "Multiple teams analyzed CCTV footage and conducted thorough investigations. We also examined the relationships between Abhishek Gupta, Pooja Shakun Pandey, and Ashok Pandey. We previously arrested Ashok Pandey and have now apprehended one shooter, Mohammad Fazal, recovering a country-made firearm from him," he stated.

The senior officer revealed that Fazal's interrogation uncovered a long-standing connection with the Pandeys. The couple allegedly asked him to find someone capable of committing murder. "He and Asif subsequently met with them. They were shown Abhishek Gupta's photograph. Both parties agreed on Rs 3 lakh, with the shooters receiving Rs 1 lakh upfront," Jadaun explained, adding that the killers conducted reconnaissance before executing the murder.

Father's Shocking Allegations

Neeraj Gupta told reporters that his son had been involved in a relationship with Pooja Shakun Pandey. "When my younger son got married, she pressured Abhishek to marry her. After my son established his business, she began demanding to become a partner," he stated.

According to Neeraj Gupta, Abhishek had confided in his mother about the affair and had started avoiding Pooja Shakun Pandey. "I feared she might force my son into marriage. She once told me, 'Your son is acting too smart.' She was concerned he was distancing himself."

He added that Abhishek had blocked Pooja Shakun Pandey's phone number, which had enraged her. "She complained to me, 'Your son is pulling away.'"

Inputs by Adnan Khan