Lawyer Accused as Mastermind in Businessman's Murder

In Bijnor, a district court has denied anticipatory bail to Raj Narayan, a Delhi-based advocate implicated as the alleged mastermind in the murder of 82-year-old businessman Anil Kumar Soti. Police are now preparing to obtain a non-bailable warrant for Narayan's arrest. Soti was discovered deceased in his residence on August 7, with investigators noting injury marks suggesting foul play. A murder case was subsequently filed by the victim's nephew against several individuals, including Gaurav Soti and property dealers Shailendra and Sunil Khanna.

Further investigation revealed Raj Narayan's alleged role, stemming from his representation of Gaurav Soti in a property dispute. According to reports, Narayan may have feared losing his client due to delays. An earlier attempt to implicate Anil Soti in a false case reportedly failed, leading Narayan to allegedly plan the murder. Four individuals, including Anjum Parveen alias Nisha, who allegedly acted on Narayan's instructions, have been arrested and jailed.

Investigators revealed that Nisha, Narayan's clerk, stated the lawyer received a significant sum from Gaurav for the property dispute. Fearful of losing his client, Narayan allegedly offered Nisha Rs 10 lakh to commit the murder. Nisha then allegedly recruited her brother, sister, and an acquaintance for the plan. The group allegedly conducted reconnaissance and traveled to Bijnor on August 6, with Nisha entering the premises and strangling Soti using a black cord. They returned to Delhi and were apprehended upon their return to Bijnor.