Updated: January 2, 2026

A shocking case of parricide has come to light in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, as police revealed that retired Indian Air Force officer Yogesh Kumar was allegedly murdered by contract killers hired by his own sons over a property dispute. The 58-year-old officer, a resident of Baghpat, was fatally shot on December 26, 2025, near Ashok Vihar in Loni, while walking along the Delhi-Saharanpur road.

How the Murder Occurred

According to police reports, Yogesh Kumar was on a phone call around 12:40 pm when two unidentified bikers approached him. One of them reportedly pointed a gun at him and fired a shot, hitting him in the head. Kumar was critically injured and declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, confirmed the ACP of Loni circle.

Initial investigations, aided by CCTV footage, suggested that Kumar recognized the assailants and tried to run, indicating a possible personal connection. A .315 bore cartridge was recovered at the scene, adding to the forensic evidence.

Arrests and Investigation

The Uttar Pradesh Police later disclosed that the murder had been orchestrated by Yogesh Kumar’s sons, motivated by greed over his property. The sons allegedly hired a neighbour, Arvind, as the main contract killer, who executed the shooting along with his brother-in-law Naveen, a constable posted in Kaushambi district.

During police interrogation, Arvind admitted to carrying out the shooting. He was arrested on Wednesday evening and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Ghaziabad on Thursday. He has been remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody.

Recovered from Arvind’s possession were:

• A .315 bore country-made pistol
• Two live cartridges
• Used cartridges

The constable and the victim’s two sons remain absconding, with police actively pursuing their arrest.

Motive Behind the Killing

Sources told PTI that the conflict arose because Yogesh Kumar had been trying to evict his sons from his house. Allegedly, the sons, motivated by greed for the property, conspired to eliminate their father. Police described the case as a well-planned act of murder, executed through hired assailants to avoid direct implication.

Police Action

Following the complaint, the police registered an FIR and constituted multiple teams to investigate CCTV footage along the route and trace additional leads. Officers confirmed that further investigations were ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused and unravel the complete conspiracy.

Public Reaction and Context

The case has drawn attention because it involves a retired defense officer and implicates family members in orchestrating the crime. It also raises concerns over the involvement of a serving constable in such a heinous act, highlighting issues of accountability and misuse of power within the force.

As of now, the police continue their efforts to locate the absconding sons and the constable while examining all angles of property disputes, possible accomplices, and the chain of events leading up to the murder.

The Ghaziabad community and defense circles have expressed shock at the incident, calling it a tragic reminder of intra-family conflicts escalating into violent crimes.

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