A leader of the Samajwadi Party and former councillor of Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation was shot dead on Wednesday morning by armed assailants in the Vasundhara colony of Indirapuram.
According to police, preliminary investigations revealed that the killing was an outcome of gang rivalry as SP leader Pradeep Chaudhary, alias TT, (35) was a history-sheeter.
Chaudhary —a resident of Sahibabad — had left his home around 8 am and was parking his bike outside Dronacharya Gym at 2C Vasundhara when three bike-borne assailants suddenly opened fire and fled the spot. According to police, four shots were fired from very close range out of which three bullets hit the councillor in head and chest. Chaudhary died on the spot.
The deceased’s brother, Praveen, lodged an FIR against Mahender Phelwan and Narender Noodal and one unidentified youth at Indirapuram police station. Apparently, there was a prolonged dispute involving an 80 square metre plot in Rajendra Nagar Industrial area.
“A criminal case has been registered against the accused. Raids have been conducted to nab them but the criminals are at large,” said Hardayal Singh Yadav Inspector Indirapuram police station.
Chaudhary had been a member of different political parties and was currently an active member of the Samajwadi Party. His wife had also been the councillor with the municipal corporation. He was also involved in property dealing and vegetable trading in Sahibabad area.