Ghazipur hotelier's son murder: 2 more arrested, key accused still at large
Synopsis
Two more men have been arrested in the murder of Ghazipur hotelier's son Vineet Rai, but the alleged Katra Gang kingpin Shankar Pandey is still on the run. The victim's father has levelled serious allegations of a police-gang nexus — a claim that, if investigated, could implicate local law enforcement in one of Ghazipur's most high-profile recent killings.
Key Takeaways
Shivam Dubey and Rehman Ali alias Golden arrested on 16 June in connection with the murder of Vineet Rai , 29 , in Ghazipur , Uttar Pradesh .
The two were apprehended near the Chaukia Mod overbridge and sent to judicial custody after legal proceedings.
Earlier accused Kamlesh Bind , who carried a ₹1 lakh bounty, was killed in a police encounter.
Prime suspect Shankar Pandey , allegedly linked to the Katra Gang , remains absconding.
Victim's father Alok Rai has alleged a police-gang nexus and demanded action against remaining accused.
Two more accused have been arrested in connection with the murder of Vineet Rai, the 29-year-old son of Ghazipur hotelier Alok Rai, police confirmed on Tuesday, 16 June. The arrests bring the case closer to resolution, though the prime suspect remains absconding.
The Murder and What Preceded It
Vineet Rai was shot dead by four masked men in the Kotwali Police Station area of Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, last month. Earlier in the investigation, one accused — Kamlesh Bind, who carried a bounty of ₹1 lakh — was killed in a police encounter. The key accused, Shankar Pandey, remains at large.
The New Arrests
Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Rakesh Mishra confirmed that Kotwali Police arrested two previously unidentified suspects: Shivam Dubey and Rehman Ali alias Golden. The two were apprehended near the Chaukia Mod overbridge in Ghazipur and were sent to judicial custody following legal proceedings.
"Based on evidence, it has been revealed that both the accused were present as well as involved in the crime," Mishra said.
The Katra Gang Connection
According to investigators, the prime suspect Shankar Pandey is allegedly associated with the Katra Gang, a criminal outfit reportedly operating in the area. Alok Rai, the victim's father, has stated that the gang's leader lives approximately 100 metres north of their hotel, and that the village head's brother is also allegedly linked to the outfit.
"He is a criminal type of a person and operates a gang named 'Katra gang'. His house is located 100 metres north of our hotel, and right behind the hotel is the house of the village Head (Pradhan), whose brother also leads this gang," Rai said.
Father Alleges Police-Gang Nexus
The victim's father has alleged that police inaction against an alleged extortion racket enabled the killing, claiming that members of the police force are in "nexus" with gang members. He has demanded encounter and bulldozer action against the remaining accused. The family maintains it has no personal enmity with anyone, suggesting the motive may be linked to the alleged extortion network.
What Happens Next
With Shivam Dubey and Rehman Ali now in custody and a case registered against several unidentified persons still pending, investigators are expected to intensify the hunt for Shankar Pandey. The allegations of a police-gang nexus, if pursued, could draw scrutiny from senior law enforcement authorities in Uttar Pradesh.
Point of View
But the bigger story here is what remains unresolved: the prime accused Shankar Pandey is still free, and the victim's father has made explicit allegations of a police-gang nexus. In Uttar Pradesh, where encounter killings are frequently used as a law-enforcement signal, the fact that Kamlesh Bind was killed while Pandey remains at large raises questions about investigative priorities. The allegation that a local pradhan's brother is connected to the gang — if substantiated — would point to a deeper political-criminal overlap that a routine murder investigation may not be equipped to address.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Vineet Rai and how was he killed?
Vineet Rai was the 29-year-old son of Ghazipur hotelier Alok Rai. He was shot dead by four masked men in the Kotwali Police Station area of Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, last month.
Who has been arrested in the Vineet Rai murder case?
Police have arrested Shivam Dubey and Rehman Ali alias Golden, two previously unidentified accused, near the Chaukia Mod overbridge in Ghazipur on 16 June. Earlier, accused Kamlesh Bind was killed in a police encounter.
Who is the prime suspect and why is he still free?
The prime suspect is Shankar Pandey, who is allegedly associated with the Katra Gang. He remains absconding despite an ongoing investigation.
What is the Katra Gang?
The Katra Gang is an alleged criminal outfit operating in the Ghazipur area of Uttar Pradesh. According to investigators, prime suspect Shankar Pandey is linked to this gang, whose leader reportedly lives near the victim's family hotel.
What allegations has the victim's father made against police?
Alok Rai has alleged that police inaction against an extortion racket enabled his son's murder, and that some police personnel are in nexus with gang members. He has demanded encounter and bulldozer action against the remaining accused.
