The Uttar Pradesh Police have made a breakthrough in the murder case of retired Indian Air Force officer Yogesh Kumar, who was shot dead in Ghaziabad&rsquo;s Loni area on December 26. Investigators have revealed that the crime was allegedly planned by the victim&rsquo;s own sons, who are accused of hiring contract killers over a property dispute.
According to police findings, the 58-year-old retired officer had been pressuring his sons to vacate his house. Driven by greed for his property, the sons allegedly conspired to eliminate him by arranging a paid killing, officials said.
Yogesh Kumar, a resident of Baghpat, was attacked near Ashok Vihar while walking towards the Delhi&ndash;Saharanpur road around 12:40 pm. Police said he was speaking on the phone when two men on a motorcycle approached him, pulled out a firearm and shot him in the head. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but was declared dead on arrival.
The investigation has also uncovered the alleged involvement of a serving police constable. Police stated that the sons hired a neighbour, identified as Arvind, to execute the murder. Arvind allegedly carried out the shooting along with his brother-in-law Naveen, a constable posted in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Kaushambi district.
During interrogation, Arvind reportedly confessed to the crime. He was arrested on Wednesday evening and produced before a Ghaziabad court on Thursday, which sent him to 14 days of judicial custody. Police recovered a .315 bore country-made pistol, two live cartridges and spent shells from his possession.
Authorities confirmed that Naveen, the constable accused in the case, along with the two sons of the deceased officer, are currently absconding. Multiple police teams have been formed to trace and arrest them.
Investigators earlier recovered a live .315 calibre cartridge from the crime scene. CCTV footage analysis revealed that the victim appeared to recognise the attackers and attempted to flee before being shot. An FIR was registered soon after the incident, and police teams are continuing to scan surveillance footage and possible escape routes as the investigation progresses.

UP Police say property dispute led to Ghaziabad killing, constable linked

IAF Officer Murder: Sons Hired Killers

UP Police say property dispute led to Ghaziabad killing, constable linked

January 2, 2026 | 17:36 IST