MEERUT, March 22 -- The noose is set to tighten around the main accused, Ajay Pratap Singh, and his associates in the sensational murder of two officials at the HPCL plant in Badaun's Sainjani village, with authorities preparing to invoke the Gangsters Act. Properties allegedly acquired through illegal means may also be seized as part of the crackdown, officials said.

Around 20 eyewitnesses have been served notices and summoned for recording statements, though none have been examined so far. With Eid concluding peacefully, officials said the investigation would gather pace from Monday at both the special investigation team (SIT) level and by the local investigating officer.

The incident occurred on March 12, when DGM Sudhir Gupta and as...