A 32-year-old man residing in Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Ghaziabad district shot his father dead late Wednesday night following an altercation over a property dispute, police said on Thursday. The accused, as per police, fled the scene with the firearm, after which the police launched a massive manhunt to apprehend him.

The man who was shot dead has been identified as Hariom Chaudhary (52), a resident of Budana village, falling under the jurisdiction of Modinagar police station. Notably, he was known as the area’s one of the wealthiest farmers, and was believed to have owned assets worth Rs 150 crore.

As per police, Chaudhary has left behind his wife, Anita, and his younger son, Neeshu.

Land dispute takes a gory turn

Police told the media that the accused, identified as Chaudhary’s elder son, Nikhil, returned home late on Wednesday, allegedly under the inebriation of alcohol. Reportedly, his father reprimanded him for consuming alcohol, and an argument ensued between the father-son duo.

During this, Nikhil allegedly drew a pistol and fired at his father. The investigating police personnel said the first bullet struck Hariom in the face, causing him to collapse. The accused then fired several more rounds at his face, chest and abdomen and fled with the pistol thereafter.

As per police findings, Hariom sustained six bullet wounds. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Modinagar, Bhaskar Verma said a preliminary probe indicates the killing stemmed from a long-running dispute over family property.

Victim owned land, commercial property

Police said Hariom owned around 75 bighas of agricultural land in Modinagar and also possessed a commercial market along the Delhi-Meerut road. His total assets amounted to approximately Rs 150 crore.

The cops said Chaudhary had already transferred 25 bighas of land and several shops in the market to Nikhil. However, the former wanted the remaining land to be transferred in his name as well. Police said when Hariom refused to do so, expressing concern that Nikhil would squander the property due to his addiction to alcohol and other indulgences, the altercation unfolded.

Accused fired at his brother in 2018

During the probe, the police also learnt that back in 2018, Nikhil had also fired at his brother Neeshu after a dispute. The police said they are examining all the aspects of the case and four police teams have been constituted to nab the accused.