Varanasi: A 29-year-old son of a hotelier was shot dead by four masked assailants who arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire at him at his establishment on Fullanpur Bypass Road under the Kotwali police station area of Ghazipur late Friday.Investigators suspect that the prime suspect is associated with the alleged ‘Katra Gang’, which has gained notoriety in Ghazipur city in recent months. Police sources said the gang is suspected of operating an extortion network targeting prominent traders and businessmen in the district, which was once considered a stronghold of late gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari.DIG, Varanasi Range, Vaibhav Krishna, said all such angles are being thoroughly examined as part of the investigation. “If any criminal gang is found to be active or attempting to establish its foothold, strict action will be taken and the network will be dismantled,” he said.Ghazipur SP Iraj Raja said that all four police teams constituted to crack the case are conducting raids at the suspected hideouts of the accused in Uttar Pradesh as well as neighbouring districts of Bihar to ensure their early arrest.The sensational murder of Vineet Rai put the district police on high alert. The Ghazipur SP camped at the crime scene for several hours and supervised the investigation. Krishna also reached Ghazipur on Saturday morning. Besides meeting the bereaved family, he reviewed the measures being taken by police to identify and arrest the shooters.Krishna said that an FIR has been registered against the prime accused, Shankar Pandey, and his three associates in connection with the murder, and four police teams have been constituted to ensure their early arrest.He said that allegations have surfaced that Pandey had made a similar attempt in 2024. “The matter will be investigated thoroughly to ascertain why appropriate action was not taken earlier and whether any lapse contributed to the recurrence of such an incident,” Krishna said.Police sources said that a similar incident had taken place in Feb 2024, when Pandey and his associates allegedly vandalised the hotel. An FIR was registered in connection with that incident and action was taken against the accused.Officials further said that even before the 2024 episode, a non-cognizable report (NCR) had been lodged against Pandey on allegations of assaulting Vineet, indicating a history of disputes between the two.Making it clear that accountability would be fixed at every level, the DIG asserted that no one found guilty in the case would be spared.According to police, the hotel is owned by Alok Rai, a resident of Godaur village and a practising lawyer, while his son, Vineet, managed the day-to-day operations of the business.Around 11.30 pm, four masked men arrived at Bindu Hotel on two motorcycles and allegedly asked the security guard to arrange four bottles of beer. When the guard informed them that beer was not available, they remained near the premises. Meanwhile, Vineet came out of the hotel and was preparing to leave for home when the assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate fire at him. He sustained multiple bullet injuries and collapsed on the spot, while the attackers fled.Vineet was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
