Moradabad | In a chilling case of insurance fraud, Moradabad Police have uncovered how a father conspired with a lawyer and hired killers to eliminate his own son for a ₹2.10 crore insurance payout. The accused allegedly paid ₹3.5 lakh as supari (contract killing), with ₹50,000 given as advance. The murder was later staged as a road accident. Police have arrested four people, including the father, while two suspects remain on the run.
Investigators say the case is part of a much larger insurance scam operating across western Uttar Pradesh, Sambhal, and neighbouring districts, where organised gangs have committed at least four murders and fraudulently claimed over ₹100 crore in insurance money. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing financial links and assets associated with the racket.
How the Case Came to Light
On November 16, the body of a young man was found in a field near Jaitpur village under Kundarki police limits. The victim was identified as Aniket Sharma, a resident of Bahjoi (Sambhal). The postmortem confirmed blunt-force injuries to the head as the cause of death.
Even after the autopsy clearly indicated homicide, Aniket’s father Baburam Sharma insisted it was an accident—raising suspicion. When questioned intensively, Baburam broke down and the entire conspiracy surfaced.
Lawyer Drafted the Scheme, Father Became an Accomplice
Police investigation revealed that Aniket was addicted to alcohol and frequently created disturbances at home. His strained relationship with his father became a vulnerability that lawyer Adesh Kumar allegedly exploited.
In January 2024, Adesh Kumar helped open Aniket’s bank account at HDFC Bank and facilitated a high-value ₹2.10 crore accident insurance policy in his name. Shockingly, Baburam was told that the policy was worth only ₹25 lakh.
In March 2024, when Baburam was jailed in connection with a robbery case, the lawyer paid the premium installments himself. Once Baburam was released, the lawyer allegedly enticed him with the promise of ₹25 lakh and prepared the murder plan.
Supari Finalised for ₹3.5 Lakh
The duo contacted Aslam alias Sultan, a resident of Shahabad (Rampur). The murder was contracted for ₹3.5 lakh. Baburam paid ₹50,000 as advance.
On the night of November 16, Aslam, accompanied by Tehabbur Mewati and Sajid, lured Aniket to a secluded area. The killers struck him on the head with an iron rod, disposed of the body in Kundarki, and attempted to pass off the crime as a road accident.
Four Arrested, Search On for Two More
Moradabad Police have arrested:
- Baburam Sharma (father and mastermind)
- Aslam alias Sultan
- Sajid
- Tehabbur Mewati
The prime conspirator lawyer Adesh Kumar and another associate Vijaypal Singh are absconding. A search is underway.
A Larger Network: Four Murders, ₹100 Crore Fraud, 68 Arrested
Officials revealed that the case is part of a massive insurance fraud network active in Sambhal and adjoining districts. The gang targeted:
- Isolated individuals with no close family
- Persons in critical condition
- Vulnerable youth with little social support
Premiums were paid by the gang itself to ensure the policies remained active. Once sufficient premiums were deposited, the policyholders were killed, and the deaths were staged as road accidents to obtain insurance payouts.
Major Cases Traced to the Gang
- Daryab (Badaun) – Murdered and death staged as an accident; policies worth ₹50 lakh.
- Divyang Sanjay (Islamnagar) – Killed by his own brother for a ₹95 lakh claim.
- Aman (Delhi) – Murdered in Amroha for policies worth ₹2.70 crore; ₹20 lakh already claimed.
- Saleem (Dhanari) – No family support; policy fraud using forged documents.
A total of 68 accused have been arrested so far. The racket’s footprint reportedly spans 12 states, involving bank staff, village heads, insurance investigators, and even company owners.
ED Investigation Underway
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case in Lucknow and is examining all assets linked to the gang. Police have confirmed that properties of the accused will be seized as per legal provisions, and chargesheets have been filed in every registered case.
