Five Arrested in Noida After Man Murdered Over Land Dispute

On August 16, 2025, Noida Police arrested five individuals, namely Neeraj, Sunil Kumar, Saurabh Kumar, Praveen Sharma, and Praveen Mavi, for allegedly murdering Naresh Prajapati, a resident of Roza Jalalpur. Moreover, investigators discovered Prajapati’s body dumped in a canal near Narsena village in Bulandshahr, which immediately intensified the probe. According to police, Praveen Sharma allegedly believed that Prajapati had hypnotized his wife, and therefore he offered Neeraj a 100-yard plot in Wave City in exchange for executing the murder. Consequently, Neeraj recruited Saurabh, his brother Ankit, and Sunil to carry out the plan.

Meanwhile, officers launched a search operation, and during the pursuit, Neeraj and Sunil were arrested after a police chase and gunfight. Both sustained injuries during the encounter and later confessed to their roles. Eventually, the investigation connected the arrested men with the conspiracy, leading to further evidence being recovered. As a result, the arrests followed a murder complaint filed by Prajapati’s brother at Bisrakh police station, which provided the initial lead to crack the case.

Police Action and Next Steps

Investigators traced the plot to a swirling mix of superstition, greed, and real estate ambitions. Praveen’s claim that Prajapati hypnotized his wife reflects how superstition can fan suspicion into violence. The promised Wave City plot was a flagrant lure. Officials confirmed that the accused leveraged local intermediaries and networked across nearby villages to recruit participants. The chase and subsequent shootout highlight how land disputes can escalate into reckless confrontation as suspects tried to flee under pressure.

Police launched an immediate crackdown. Following the encounter and arrests, officers conducted extensive interrogations, reconstructing a timeline to determine the exact role played by each accused. Authorities also visited Wave City officials to trace ownership records and verify whether the promised plot actually existed or was a fabricated incentive. For now, the police have brought charges of murder under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, and sources expect further detentions as investigations expand.

Context Within Wider Land Dispute Violence

This case is part of a broader pattern of land-related violence in the region. In Noida, past incidents include murders, gang altercations, and fatal disputes over property. In 2024, a 15-year land feud between rival families led to a shooting in Noida over a 100-square-yard plot. More recently, a confrontation over a 300-bigha land division in Greater Noida ended in gunfire between two brothers, resulting in multiple arrests. These examples illustrate that unresolved property tension continues to spark deadly outcomes.

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