HARIDWAR: Police in Haridwar have uncovered a disturbing plot behind the Haridwar murder case where a retired Air Force employee was earlier reported to heve shot by a person he had offered a lift in the highway. But as police continued to investigate, it revealed that his own son allegedly scripted the killing nearly a month before the incident. The case, which has shocked the district, took a decisive turn after investigators traced digital evidence and interrogated multiple suspects, confirming premeditation rather than a spontaneous crime.
According to police officials, 62-year-old Air Force veteran Jagdish Singh was found dead on November 28 after being shot inside a vehicle. Initial suspicion had centred on unidentified attackers, but the investigation soon began pointing inward. The turning point came when police obtained the call records, WhatsApp chats, and financial transactions of the victim’s 27-year-old son, whose behaviour following the murder raised contradictions.
Our correspondent reports that during questioning, police found inconsistencies in the son’s timeline, prompting deeper scrutiny. Forensic teams also recovered a handwritten note and a digital script outlining the sequence of events to be followed on the day of the murder. Investigators allege the note contained details on location, timing, escape route and instructions to hired shooters.
“This was not a random attack. The son had been preparing for the murder for weeks. He coordinated with the shooters, arranged funds and created a narrative to mislead police,” the SSP said.
Police sources claim the son contacted hired criminals through an acquaintance involved in illegal arms supply. A payment was allegedly transferred days before the killing, and a reconnaissance of the route was conducted twice. The vehicle in which the veteran was attacked matched the route documented in the recovered script.
Investigators also believe that property-related disputes and long-standing domestic tensions may have fuelled the accused’s motive.
“There were financial disagreements within the family. The father had recently changed certain property nominations, and this seems to have triggered the planning,” said an officer part of the probe.
Hired shooters were arrested from Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee after surveillance teams tracked their mobile phones. The weapon used in the murder, a country-made pistol, has also been recovered. Police said the shooters confessed during interrogation, stating that the son had promised them a large sum upon successful execution of the plan.
Neighbours told police that the family had been facing internal issues for months, though no formal complaints had been filed.
“We never imagined the son could plan something like this. The father was a quiet, respected man,” a local resident said.
The victim, a retired Air Force technician, had been living in Haridwar for the past decade. Known for his disciplined lifestyle and social engagement, his murder had initially sparked fear of rising highway crimes. The revelation of the inside conspiracy has taken the case in a new direction.
Police said the son attempted to portray himself as shocked by the murder and even participated in early searches. However, CCTV evidence contradicted his claims about his whereabouts during the critical time window.
“He tried to create an alibi, but digital footprints don’t lie,” an officer said.
The son has been arrested along with three accomplices. All four have been charged under sections of murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of arms and destruction of evidence.
Investigators are now verifying whether more people were involved in the planning phase. Police have also requested cyber-forensic experts to retrieve deleted communications from the accused’s mobile phone and laptop.
Authorities said a detailed chargesheet will be filed soon, supported by technical evidence and confessional statements.
The gruesome case has triggered public outrage, with many residents calling for fast-track prosecution. The district police have strengthened patrolling and increased night-time checks in vulnerable zones.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
