What initially appeared to be a tragic road accident has turned into a chilling murder investigation in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. A 51-year-old differently-abled man, Dariyab Jatav, was killed in a premeditated plot for a life insurance claim worth ₹50.68 lakh. Four individuals have been arrested, including two brothers, a convicted criminal, and an insurance agent, after police uncovered the conspiracy.
The incident began on August 1, 2024, when Jatav’s body was found near Sainik Chauraha, leading police to register an FIR for a hit-and-run accident. The victim’s brother, Rajendra, filed the initial complaint, and the case was closed in December as a simple accident due to lack of leads. However, the case took a dramatic turn when an insurance claim of ₹50.68 lakh was made for Jatav’s life insurance policy.
The claim immediately raised red flags with the insurance company, prompting a re-investigation. The police, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Anukriti Sharma, found several inconsistencies in the claim. Jatav, who was physically challenged and unable to walk long distances, was allegedly killed in a place far from his residence. The claim mentioned the accident occurred at night, which added further suspicion to the case.
Through detailed investigation and interrogation, the police discovered the shocking truth. The murder was orchestrated by brothers Hariom and Vinod, who were facing financial difficulties and saw an opportunity in their brother’s life insurance policies. They had taken out multiple insurance policies on Jatav’s life over the course of a year, with the help of Pankaj Raghav, an insurance agent with Axis Bank and Max Life Insurance.
To execute their plan, they enlisted the help of Pratap, an ex-convict, paying him ₹50,000 to carry out the murder. On the night of the incident, Vinod struck Jatav on the head with a hammer, and Pratap ran him over with a car to make it look like a hit-and-run accident.
Before their fraudulent scheme could be fully realized, the suspects managed to receive ₹15.68 lakh in insurance payouts. The rest of the claim was put on hold when the fraud was detected. The four accused individuals — Hariom, Vinod, Pratap, and the insurance agent Pankaj Raghav — were arrested and sent to jail.
Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi praised the police team’s diligent work, announcing a reward of ₹25,000 for the investigators. He also condemned the heinous crime, stating, “This case is a stark reminder of how greed can lead to unimaginable actions. We will ensure strict punishment under the law.”
Sources By Agencies
