The vehicle, used in the murder of PWD engineer MK Gupta, was found abandoned in Qayamganj area of Farrukhabad.

Three other vehicles — a Santro, a Honda City and a Tavera used in the crime — have already been recovered.

“During interrogation last night, Tiwari revealed information about his Safari and the police team recovered it today,” said B P Singh, Inspector General (Kanpur Zone).

“The vehicle was probably parked at a house there. It was taken out and abandoned a couple of days ago.”

Tiwari, he said, had gone to the Gangotri guesthouse in Gail Vihar Colony in the same car on the night of December 23. And he used it go to Gupta’s home and bring him forcibly back to the guesthouse.

Circle Officer of Auraiyya DK Rai said the police had been searching for the Safari since the case was registered and Tiwari was arrested.

Initially, he feigned ignorance about use of the car in the crime, but admitted it after he was confronted with his aide Vinay Tiwari, another accused.

The Deputy Inspector General of Kanpur Range, SN Sabat, said forensic experts from Agra had collected clinching evidence from the crime scene at the engineer’s house and the Gail guesthouse.

Tiwari’s wife Vibha, a co-accused in the murder, is still absconding. A resident of Qayamganj, she is also a Zila Panchayat Adyaksha, Auraiyya.