Firing at Bhayander: Friend riding pillion had shot estate agent

The Bhayander police have cracked the case of firing at an estate agent on Monday with the arrest of his friend, who was riding pillion at the time of the incident.

The accused, Dipesh Vora after his arrest. Police said he continued to be the victim's friend even after the dispute so he could kill him

Cops said that the accused shot him from point blank range, and then concocted a story about miscreants opening fire at him from a car. The estate agent, Ajay Kumar Gupta, (28) succumbed to his injuries yesterday.

The police investigation has revealed that Dipesh Vora (28), who was riding pillion with the victim, had fired at him. Vora had been a friend of the deceased for the past 10 years. During the investigation it was found the bullet was fired from point blank range and therefore the police picked up Vora. During interrogation he confessed to the crime.

According to the police, the deceased and accused were neighbours in Bhayander (East) and partners in the real estate business. Vora had a financial dispute with the deceased over a deal which they had struck by selling a flat. Despite the dispute, the accused continued the friendship with the intention of killing Gupta, police said.

On Monday, when they were heading towards Gorai for some work, with Gupta riding a bike and Vora riding pillion, he shot him and mislead the police by giving a false story. Gupta was shifted to KEM hospital from Kasturi hospital late on Monday night, but succumbed to the injuries.

"The accused has been arrested and has been booked under sections 302 and 307 of Indian Penal Code along with Arms Act. The accused and the victim had some dispute regarding a property deal and so the accused decided to kill him," said Senior Police Inspector Bhaskar Pukle from Bhayander Police station. The police have not yet recovered the weapon used.