In a shocking twist to a case initially thought to be a tragic road accident, Agra police have arrested four individuals, including a father and son, for the brutal murder of a young man. The crime, which occurred in the Barhan area, was uncovered after CCTV footage dismantled the hit-and-run theory and revealed a premeditated murder meant for another target.
The Grisly Discovery and Initial Misconception
The incident dates back to December 19. The next morning, the body of 19-year-old Puneet Sisodia was discovered lying in a pool of blood. Based on the scene, local authorities initially suspected a fatal hit-and-run accident. A formal complaint in the matter was lodged by none other than the victim's own cousin, Mukesh Chauhan.
However, the investigation took a dramatic turn when officers reviewed video evidence from the area. DCP (Agra West) Atul Sharma stated that the CCTV recordings clearly showed no other vehicle was near Puneet at the time of his death, completely ruling out a collision. This crucial finding forced police to re-investigate the case as a homicide.
CCTV Unravels a Case of Mistaken Identity
The footage led investigators to a chilling sequence of events. On the fateful night, Puneet had left his cousin Mukesh's cafe riding his motorcycle. Due to the intense winter cold, he had covered his face with a scarf. This simple act of seeking warmth proved fatal.
The accused individuals, lying in wait to attack Mukesh Chauhan, mistook Puneet for his cousin. They intercepted him on the road and assaulted him violently with sticks and batons. The attack was so severe that Puneet was killed on the spot, after which the assailants fled the scene.
Arrests and the Motive Behind the Conspiracy
Following the new evidence, police called in Bhanu Pratap Singh, a contractor, for questioning. Singh eventually confessed to the murder. His confession unveiled a harrowing motive. Singh alleged that Mukesh Chauhan was harassing his married daughter and threatening to circulate her photographs online.
This harassment, according to Singh, was pushing his daughter's two-year marriage to the brink of collapse. Driven by this, Singh conspired to murder Mukesh Chauhan. He involved his son, Anuj Dhakre, and two of his employees, Mohit and Aniruddh, in the plot.
The four accused were arrested on Wednesday. They have been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 103(1) for murder
- Section 238 for destroying evidence
- Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy
The case highlights a tragic confluence of vigilantism, mistaken identity, and the pivotal role of technological evidence in modern policing. While the conspirators have been apprehended, the incident has left two families shattered—one mourning an innocent son, and the others facing the severe legal consequences of a deadly miscalculation.
