Mother and Lover Murder Son for Insurance Money in Uttar Pradesh: A Staged Accident Uncovered

Pradeep Sharma (left) and the accused.

In Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur Dehat, a woman and her partner allegedly murdered her 23-year-old son with a hammer and attempted to disguise it as a road accident. Their motives included claiming his insurance money and eliminating his opposition to their relationship, according to police reports.

The crime, which took place on October 26, also involved the partner's brother. Both brothers have been apprehended by authorities.

Police discovered the victim Pradeep Sharma's body on the Kanpur-Etawah Highway. Initially considered an accident, a thorough investigation revealed the truth behind his death.

According to the Derapur Circle Officer, following Pradeep's father's death, his mother began a relationship with the main accused, Mayank alias Ishu Katiyar. Pradeep objected to this relationship and eventually moved away from his mother, securing employment in Andhra Pradesh.

Resentful of his disapproval, Pradeep's mother collaborated with Mayank and his brother Rishi Katiyar to devise a murder plot. Mayank and Rishi deliberately purchased multiple insurance policies in Pradeep's name.

When Pradeep returned home for Diwali celebrations, Mayank and Rishi invited him for dinner on October 26, driving him in their WagonR. Inside the vehicle, they struck Pradeep's head repeatedly with a hammer, killing him instantly.

The perpetrators then abandoned his body on the Kanpur-Etawah highway near Balharamau village in the Derapur police station jurisdiction, attempting to stage a road accident.

After police recovered Pradeep's body and located his family, his uncle and grandfather accused Rishi and Mayank of murder. However, Pradeep's mother maintained that he died in a traffic accident.

"Our comprehensive investigation confirmed Pradeep was murdered. We've recovered the murder weapon—a hammer—along with an illegal firearm and the vehicle used in the crime. Both Mayank and Rishi were arrested following an encounter," the Circle Officer explained.

"The encounter occurred when Rishi opened fire on our police team. Officers returned fire, and he was shot. He's currently receiving treatment in hospital and is recovering," the officer added.

(With inputs from Arun Agarwal)