In a significant breakthrough, the Sarnath police in Varanasi arrested a wanted shooter, carrying a cash reward, following a late-night encounter. The accused is linked to the high-profile murder of builder Mahendra Gautam, which occurred in August 2025.
Late-Night Encounter Leads to Arrest
The operation unfolded on Saturday late night in the Sarai Mohana area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Varuna, Pramod Kumar, stated that the police had received specific intelligence about the whereabouts of individuals accused in the builder murder case. The information suggested they were hiding in Sarai Mohana and preparing to change their location.
Acting swiftly, a police team cordoned off the area and called for the suspects to surrender. However, one of the individuals opened fire on the police team. The DCP explained that in the ensuing retaliatory firing, the shooter was hit by a bullet in his leg and fell to the ground. His accomplice, however, managed to flee under the cover of darkness.
Identity and Recovery
The injured accused was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment. Upon investigation, he was identified as shooter Arvind Yadav, also known as Fauji or Kallu Yadav. Authorities confirmed that a reward of Rs 1 lakh was on his head for his alleged involvement in the builder's murder.
From the encounter site, the police recovered a firearm, several cartridges, and Rs 750 in cash. The arrest marks a crucial step in unraveling the conspiracy behind the killing.
Confession and Murder Conspiracy
During interrogation, Arvind Yadav reportedly confessed to his role. He disclosed that the weapon used in the crime was provided to him by Mohammad Mukim from Munger, Bihar, who has already been arrested in this case.
Arvind further revealed the execution plan. He stated that along with another shooter, Banarasi Yadav from Ghazipur, he carried out the murder. The builder's location was allegedly provided to the shooters by Chandan Shukla (Sampurnanand Shukla), a resident of Sinhpur, Sarnath. The builder, Mahendra Gautam, was shot dead while he was on his way to his office riding his motorcycle.
This arrest adds to the list of individuals already apprehended in connection with the case. Earlier in August, the police had arrested property dealer Yogendra Yadav (Fantu) from Mumbai and Ghazipur, Sarnath's Chandan Shukla, Shyam Rajbhar (Rekha Pradhan), and arms smuggler Mohammad Mukim from Bihar.
The police are now intensifying efforts to capture the accomplice who escaped during the encounter and to establish the complete motive and chain of events leading to the murder.
