LUCKNOW, July 10 -- For several days before property dealer Sandeep Singh was shot dead outside his office in Lucknow, the alleged assailants kept a close watch on his movements, studied his routine and waited for the opportune moment to strike. The chilling sequence of events emerged after the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested Sachin Kumar, the final absconding accused in the May 27 murder, bringing to a close the manhunt in the high-profile contract killing case. "Carrying a reward of Rs.1 lakh, Sachin was arrested late on Wednesday near the Kisan Path overbridge in the PGI area. Police recovered the .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the murder, three live cartridges and the motorcycle used in the crime," said STF officials on Thursday. "During interrogation, Sachin allegedly told investigators that he and the alleged shooter, Sanjay alias Sanjeev, had travelled to Lucknow several times before the murder to conduct reconnaissance. They were allegedly shown Singh's residence, office, daily route and details of the vehicles he used so they could plan the attack with precision," it added. According to the STF, the duo purchased a white Apache motorcycle specifically for the operation and removed its number plate before using it for surveillance and the murder. On May 27, they allegedly tailed Singh's vehicle from near Deen Dayal Park. As the property dealer stepped out of his car outside his office, Sanjeev got off the motorcycle and fired three shots at close range, hitting him in the chest and head before the two fled. Investigators said the murder was allegedly masterminded by Dinesh Yadav, who wanted Singh eliminated over an old rivalry. Sachin claimed that the alleged conspirators had promised money for carrying out the killing, with an advance paid before the attack and the remaining amount to be settled later. htc...