Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | January 2, 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday disclosed a major development in the murder case of a retired Indian Air Force officer who was shot dead in Ghaziabad last month. Investigators say the killing was planned by the victim’s own sons, who allegedly hired contract killers due to a dispute over property.

The victim, Yogesh Kumar, 58, was a retired warrant officer of the Indian Air Force. He had retired from service on July 31 and was living in Baghpat district. On December 26, he was shot dead in broad daylight near Ashok Vihar in Ghaziabad’s Loni area, sending shockwaves through the local community.

According to the police, Yogesh Kumar had been trying to get his sons to vacate his house, which had become a source of constant tension within the family. Investigators believe the sons planned the murder out of greed for their father’s property and hired shooters to carry out the crime. The police revealed these details after questioning one of the accused, news agency PTI reported.

The murder took place around 12:40 pm when Yogesh Kumar was walking towards the Delhi–Saharanpur road while talking on his phone. At that moment, two men on a motorcycle approached him. One of them allegedly pointed a gun at Kumar and fired a single shot at close range, hitting him in the head. The attackers then fled the spot on the bike.

Passersby rushed Kumar to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. Senior police officers, including the ACP of the Loni circle, confirmed that the attack appeared targeted and well-planned, given the timing and manner of the shooting.

As the investigation progressed, police teams examined CCTV footage from nearby areas and recovered a live cartridge of .315 calibre from the crime scene. Footage reportedly showed that Kumar tried to run when he saw the bikers and appeared to recognize them, which further strengthened suspicions of an inside plot rather than a random attack.

Police later identified a neighbour of the victim, Arvind, as one of the shooters. Arvind was allegedly hired by Kumar’s sons to carry out the killing. During interrogation, Arvind reportedly confessed that he and his brother-in-law, Naveen, were involved in the shooting. Naveen is a Uttar Pradesh Police constable posted in Kaushambi district, adding another serious angle to the case.

Arvind was arrested on Wednesday evening and produced before the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Ghaziabad on Thursday. The court sent him to 14 days of judicial custody. From his possession, police recovered a .315 bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges, and used cartridges, which are believed to have been used in the crime.

Meanwhile, Naveen, the police constable accused of involvement, along with the two sons of Yogesh Kumar, are currently absconding. Police officials said multiple teams have been formed to track them down and arrest them at the earliest. Raids are being conducted at possible hideouts, and authorities are also checking call records and financial transactions to trace their movements.

An FIR had been registered soon after the murder based on a complaint from the family, and the case is being investigated from several angles, including criminal conspiracy, use of illegal weapons, and involvement of a serving police officer.

The murder of a retired defence personnel by hired shooters, allegedly at the behest of his own sons, has raised serious concerns about family disputes turning violent and the misuse of criminal networks. Police officials said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected soon as they work to bring all those involved to justice.

 Ghaziabad Murder Case: Police Say Retired IAF Officer Was Killed After Sons Hired Contract Shooters Over Property Dispute

A shocking family crime has come to light in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Police have revealed that the murder of retired Indian Air Force officer Yogesh Kumar was allegedly planned by his own sons over a property dispute. Yogesh Kumar, 58, a retired warrant officer who had served the nation for decades, was shot dead on December 26 in the Loni area of Ghaziabad.

According to the investigation, Kumar was living in Baghpat and had recently retired on July 31. Police say tensions had been building at home as he was trying to get his sons to vacate his house. Driven by greed for property, the sons allegedly hired a neighbour, Arvind, to arrange the killing.

The incident happened around 12:40 pm near Ashok Vihar when Yogesh Kumar was walking and speaking on the phone. Two men on a motorcycle approached him, and one of them fired a shot at close range, hitting him in the head. He was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

During the probe, police checked CCTV footage and recovered a .315 calibre cartridge from the spot. Investigators say the footage showed that Kumar tried to run and seemed to recognize the attackers. Arvind was later arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime during questioning. He revealed that he carried out the shooting with his brother-in-law Naveen, who is a serving Uttar Pradesh Police constable.

Arvind has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody, and a country-made pistol along with cartridges was recovered from him. Meanwhile, Naveen and the two sons of the victim are absconding. Police teams are conducting raids and efforts are underway to arrest all the accused.

The case has raised serious concerns about family disputes, property greed, and the involvement of hired killers, especially with a police constable allegedly linked to the crime. The investigation is still ongoing.