Jamshedpur, Dec. 7: The back-to-back murders of businessman Upendra Singh (56) and his trusted lieutenant Amit Rai (35) have prompted police to launch an arms checking drive across the city and intensify their manhunt for gangster Akhilesh Singh, the key accused in both cases who is currently out on bail.

Sources told this correspondent that Amit was gunned down in front of his house in Sonari yesterday for ratting on Akhilesh with whom he had once worked.

An FIR, lodged by Amit's father Nagendra Rai late this evening, also accused Akhilesh of conspiracy and murder. It also named three of the shooters as Kanhaiya Singh, Harish Singh and Sudhir Dubey, all henchmen of the gangster.

Today, from morning till evening, vehicles and their occupants were subjected to random checks for firearms. Police sealed the entry and exit points to the city, hoping to prevent the four gunmen who killed Amit from escaping.

Sonari thana OC Amis Hussain, the investigating officer in the case, confirmed that Akhilesh had orchestrated the shooting of Amit who was a staunch supporter of Upendra and a sharpshooter himself.

"We suspect the murder was plotted two months ago, when the victim had survived a similar bid on his life in Sakchi. Akhilesh, Kanhaiya and Sudhir were named in the September case," he said.

It has been confirmed that the loaded 9mm pistol found on the spot belonged to Amit who has a history of extortion.

Sources said Amit and Akhilesh go back a long way, when both were neighbours in Tube Baridih area of Sidhgora. Amit and wife Punam were even arrested in 2003 for extorting money in the name of Akhilesh.

Amit was arrested again for firing at his girlfriend's house in Mango in 2005. He became friends with Akhilesh in jail. For the next seven years, Amit worked for the gangster. However, a brawl with Kanhaiya a year ago soured the Amit-Akhilesh friendship.

"Amit then became Upendra Singh's man. After the former politician was shot dead on civil court premises on November 30, Amit was acting as police informer against Akhilesh," said a source.

Interrogation of businessmen in the Upendra murder is still on. Police have taken over keys of four flats at Shristi Gardens in Baridih that belong to Akhilesh and his men.

The complex was developed by hotelier Binod Singh who is among the half a dozen businessmen being grilled on the gangster's whereabouts.