Hindu activist found shot dead in Lucknow canal; driver among two suspects held

Hindu Yuva Vahini leader Dhirendra Pratap Singh, who had been missing for two days, was found dead with bullet wounds in a canal in Lucknow's Dubagga area, with police alleging that his own driver conspired with associates to murder him following a dispute over a piece of land.

Police have recovered Singh's body and his Fortuner SUV and taken two prime suspects into custody. The victim's driver, who had reportedly been working with him for years, is among those being questioned.

According to police, Singh's wife, Mamta Singh, had earlier filed a complaint alleging that her husband had been abducted by his driver along with some associates.

DCP (South Zone) Mohd Mushtaq said a case was registered following the complaint and six police teams were formed to crack the case.

"Through the investigation, utilizing CCTV footage and surveillance, we discovered that his own driver, who had been working with him for years, had conspired with other associates to murder him and had attempted to dispose of the body at a different location," Mushtaq said.

Police said preliminary investigations suggest that Singh was killed inside his Fortuner SUV before his body was dumped in the canal.

Mushtaq said investigators had so far found indications that a dispute over a piece of land may have led to the alleged murder plot.

"Information gathered so far indicates a dispute over a piece of land; a criminal plot was hatched regarding this dispute, leading to this tragic incident," he said.

Police said two prime suspects have been detained and are being interrogated, while efforts are underway to identify and take action against others allegedly involved in the case.