Pandey killed 2008 victim when he left gang to become an auto driver

More details have been revealed about the modus operandi adopted by serial killer Gopal Pandey in the murder of his friend Mithilesh alias Vijay Dubey in 2008.

Vijay Dubey

According to the police, he abducted Dubey from Chandawarkar Road in Borivli (West) on April 10, 2008. Along with his two accomplices, he forced Dubey, an auto driver, into a car, which then sped towards Vikramgadh in the Jawahar taluka area of rural Thane. The accused then smashed his victim's head with a stone in order to mutilate him beyond recognition.

Strangely, Rajkumar, Dubey's younger brother, learnt in 2010 that Pandey had kidnapped and killed him. However, he never gathered the courage to lodge a police complaint as Pandey threatened him.

Talking to MiD DAY, Rajkumar said, "I decided to register a complaint against Pandey in 2011, but he warned me that I would meet an end similar to my brother's if I spilled the beans. However, after reading the recent reports about him, I made up my mid and approached the cops."

"Vijay knew everything about Gopal's criminal activities, and he shared these details with others. Pandey disliked and killed him at Vikramgadh, disfiguring his face with a stone. He then left the body in a semi-naked state," said Mahesh Patil, DCP XI.

Dubey was originally one of Pandey's cronies, but parted ways with the latter on a bitter note. Pandey then persisted with Dubey to work with him, but the latter refused.

Rajkumar added, "My brother told Gopal that he didn't want to be associated with his gang, and he was happy working hard for his money and was earning enough by plying his auto."

Pandey and Dubey were neighbours in the Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh. They were very good friends, and frequented each other's homes.