Chain-snatcher linked to Lucknow businessman’s death found dead in Sitapur

Sanjay Yadav, a history-sheeter linked to a businessman’s death, was found dead in Sitapur with signs of torture; police are investigating the cause.

Nine days after he allegedly kicked a businessman’s scooter during a chain-snatching bid in Lucknow’s Gudamba area leading to the latter’s death, history-sheeter Sanjay Yadav, 40, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Sitapur district on Monday morning. DCP East Shashank Singh said the accused was carrying a reward of ₹50,000.

Police at the spot where the body of criminal Sanjay Yadav was found. (Sourced)

Inspector Balwant Shahi said Yadav’s body was recovered from roadside bushes in Neelgaon village under Sidhauli police station. His face and nose had traces of froth and his body bore multiple serious injury marks. Police said that his toenails were also missing, indicating that he was tortured before being murdered.

A motorcycle was also found at the spot. “The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death,” said Sitapur police. Later, a team of Lucknow police also reached the crime scene, said a senior police officer wishing anonymity.

Meanwhile, Sitapur Police said they are probing whether Yadav was killed due to a gang rivalry, personal enmity or vigilantism linked to Jain’s death. “We will be able to confirm the cause only after the autopsy report,” ASP (South), Sitapur, Durgesh Singh said.

Lucknow Police launched a manhunt and formed four teams to track the duo. On September 25, during a police encounter in Jankipuram, Arvind Yadav was shot in the leg and arrested, while Sanjay managed to escape.

At his ancestral home, relatives distanced themselves from him. While his sister declined to speak to the media requesting them to leave, a cousin said Sanjay had not visited home for nearly 15 years.