Woman held in Dehradun businessman murder case

The Dehradun Police has arrested a woman, carrying a reward of Rs 25,000, from Saharanpur in connection with the murder of a local businessman last year, officials said on Sunday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Humera alias Zoya, a resident of UP’s Muzaffarnagar.

Zoya’s arrest came days after co-accused, Rajan alias Jacky, a sharpshooter, was held from Muzaffarnagar on May 19. 

Both Zoya and Rajan had accepted a contract to kill Ajay Bhateja (54) at the behest of his stepbrother Amit, over a property dispute, police said.

Ajay was found dead at his Krishna Vihar residence on May 26, last year. His body lay on the floor with a bleeding nose, while a sheet hung from the ceiling fan to stage a suicide. 

Following a complaint from Ajay’s cousin Jatin Kumar, police filed an FIR under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police used mobile surveillance, CCTV footage, and informants to track Rajan and Zoya.

During questioning, Rajan had confessed to smothering Ajay with a pillow on May 25, police said.

Amit wanted a share in Ajay’s multiple properties located across Dehradun and Mussoorie, which triggered a bitter dispute between the stepbrothers.

Amit lured Rajan into the plot by promising him a half share in Ajay’s property in Jakhan, Dehradun. Rajan subsequently roped in Zoya to execute the murder plan, SSP Pramendra Singh Dobhal said.

On the night of the incident, Rajan, Zoya, Amit, and another friend, Neeraj, visited Ajay’s residence. While the others left the house later that night, Zoya stayed behind with the victim.

Rajan returned to the house around 1 am and made Ajay drink alcohol. The accused then used a pillow to smother Ajay to death, the SSP said.

During questioning, Rajan said he attempted to hang the body from the ceiling fan to fake a suicide, but fled in a hurry with Amit and Neeraj, who were waiting outside in a car.

Neeraj had no prior knowledge of the murder conspiracy, the SSP said.

The main conspirator, Amit Bhateja, remains at large. Teams are conducting raids to arrest him, they added.