Kashipur. Police have taken into custody Sandeep Singh, also known as Sona, who was a childhood friend of the late Deputy Block Chief Hardeep Singh, together with his wife Sandeep Kaur, for their alleged role in Hardeep’s murder. Authorities contend the crime arose from a long‑standing financial disagreement valued at roughly ₹30 lakh.
Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati disclosed on Tuesday that the case began when Rajvinder Kaur of Gulzarpur reported her son Hardeep Singh had been shot on 13 September. Initial inquiries uncovered evidence of a monetary dispute, prompting investigators to focus on Sandeep.
According to police, the evening of the incident started with Hardeep and Sandeep sharing a dinner and drinks at a roadside dhaba. The pair later moved to Sandeep’s residence, where they reportedly consumed illicit liquor. An argument over money escalated, and Sandeep allegedly seized Hardeep’s licensed pistol that lay on the table, firing seven rounds. Two bullets struck Hardeep in the abdomen, and he later died despite medical treatment.
The probe revealed that Sandeep owed Hardeep approximately ₹30 lakh. Additionally, Hardeep had recently bought a second‑hand bulldozer worth about ₹8 lakh in Sandeep’s name. Sandeep, a farmer owning around 15 acres, and Hardeep had been close since childhood.
Police allege that after the shooting, Sandeep transported the wounded Hardeep to a hospital and informed his family, a move they say was intended to mislead investigators and deflect suspicion.
Sandeep’s wife, Sandeep Kaur, is accused of tampering with the crime scene by cleaning blood‑stained areas, leading to her arrest. Investigators are also probing the involvement of Sandeep’s mother, who was reportedly present at the location when the shooting occurred.
"The licensed pistol and the cartridges used in the murder have been recovered, along with the vehicle suspected to have been used," the police statement read.
The recovered items include the firearm, ammunition, and the car linked to the incident. The operation was carried out by a team comprising Kotwali Kunda SHO Dhirendra Kumar, Sub‑Inspectors Saurabh Kumar, Govind Mehta, Manoj Dev, Sonu Singh, and Naveen Joshi, together with Assistant Sub‑Inspector Ravish Ram.
