Religious Leader Pooja Pandey On The Run After Aligarh Businessman Murder; Cops Launch Hunt

Last Updated:October 02, 2025, 23:41 IST

Businessman Abhishek Gupta was shot dead over a monetary dispute on the night of September 23

Hindu Mahasabha general secretary Pooja Shakun Pandey | File Image

Hindu Mahasabha leader Pooja Shakun Pandey, who stoked a nationwide row in 2019 for a controversial enactment of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, is on the run after a shocking murder in Aligarh.

Businessman Abhishek Gupta was shot dead over a monetary dispute, police said. Pandey’s husband, Ashok Pandey, has been arrested, and authorities are searching for her.

The 30-year-old victim, who owned a bike showroom, was killed on the night of September 23 near a bus stop in Aligarh.

Abhishek was with his father, Neeraj Gupta, and his cousin when two men on a bike approached and shot him before he could board the bus.

He was declared dead at a hospital. In his complaint, Neeraj Gupta alleged that the Pandeys had orchestrated the murder over financial disagreements.

Police have arrested Mohammad Fazal, one of the men involved in the shooting.

During questioning, Fazal reportedly admitted that the killing was a “supari” (contract) hit arranged by Pooja and Ashok Pandey, who offered Rs 3 lakh for the murder, reported NDTV.

Fazal and his associate, Asif, were given Rs 1 lakh in advance.

Senior police officer Neeraj Kumar Jadaun said, “We tracked Fazal using CCTV footage and witness statements. Ashok Pandey is in custody, while we continue searching for Pooja Shakun Pandey and Asif. A country-made firearm has been recovered from Fazal.”

Abhishek Gupta’s father added a sensational allegation, claiming his son had an affair with Pooja Shakun Pandey.

He said Abhishek had started avoiding her and had blocked her number, which allegedly led to her ordering the hit.

“When my younger son married, she asked Abhishek to marry her. She later pressured us to make her a partner in his business,” Neeraj Gupta told the media.

Ashok Pandey, however, denied the allegations, claiming the victim’s father was attempting to frame him. “Abhishek stayed at our place, studied here, and we did everything for him. His father owes me Rs 10 lakh,” he said.

Police continue to investigate the financial and personal ties between the Pandeys and Abhishek Gupta while pursuing leads to apprehend Pooja Shakun Pandey.

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