The Jabalpur murder case has exposed a planned contract killing allegedly executed over a Rs 1 crore land dispute linked to agricultural property in Chhattisgarh. Police said civil engineer Clarence Atkins, also known as Raja, was shot dead on the morning of April 23 while returning home after dropping his five-year-old son to school in Jabalpur.

Investigators said the murder was allegedly orchestrated by the victim’s uncle and cousin, who hired shooters, conducted surveillance and tracked his movement before carrying out the attack in broad daylight.

Shot Near Crossing

According to officials, the 39-year-old was riding back home when two assailants on a black motorcycle intercepted him near Shiv Shakti Dawakhana in Ranjhi around 7.50 am. One of the attackers fired at close range, hitting Clarence in the head.

He collapsed on the spot, while the attackers fled towards Ranjhi. Police teams reached the scene soon after and began collecting evidence from the crime spot.

CCTV Trail Cracked

The investigation gained pace after police scanned CCTV footage from nearby areas and traced two suspects riding a black motorcycle without a registration number. Officers then mapped the escape route and began tracking those linked to the movement of the bike.

According to police, the attackers had already positioned themselves in the area and were waiting for Clarence to return home. Surveillance footage and local inputs helped investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.

Land Dispute Motive

Police said the motive behind the murder was a dispute over nearly 15 acres of agricultural land in Raipur, estimated to be worth around Rs 1 crore. Clarence had reportedly filed a civil suit over the property and secured a stay order seeking cancellation of a disputed registry.

Officials said this had triggered tensions within the family. Sources indicated that the victim had been pressured to withdraw the case and was allegedly threatened after refusing to back down.

Contract Killing Plan

Police said the murder was planned in advance by the victim’s uncle, identified as Vikas alias Baba alias Rinku Nelson, and his son Prince Nelson. Investigators alleged the duo hired multiple men for separate roles, including surveillance, tracking and execution.

As per reports, two accused first conducted reconnaissance near Clarence’s residence and alerted the shooters once he stepped out. The gunmen then followed him on another motorcycle and opened fire when they found an opportunity near the crossing.

Two Accused Arrested

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested two accused on Saturday. The first, Tejbal alias Arun Raikwar, 20, was detained near Deendayal Chowk. His interrogation led police to the second accused, Mohit Thakur, 20, who was arrested near Barela toll plaza.

Police said both men played a role in tracking the victim before the shooting. The two accused are now in custody and are being questioned for further leads.

Bikes, Phones Seized

Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay said police seized two motorcycles, including a high-end Harley-Davidson allegedly used during the operation, and two mobile phones from the accused. Officials said the Harley-Davidson, reportedly worth around Rs 15 lakh, was used during surveillance and movement linked to the murder.

Police are still searching for the remaining accused, including Prince Nelson, Arpit Kushwaha and Vikas Nelson, who are believed to be central to the conspiracy.

Probe Widens Ahead

The Jabalpur murder case has drawn sharp attention because of the methodical planning, family link and contract killing angle. Investigators are now examining financial transactions, call records and movement patterns to establish the full chain of conspiracy. Police said more arrests are likely as the investigation expands.