Bihar man lured to Delhi over old rivalry, shot dead; 8 held after 12,000-km chase | Delhi News
NEW DELHI: A Bihar resident was allegedly lured to Delhi on the pretext of settling a longstanding dispute and shot dead at a rented premises in southeast Delhi’s Pul Prahladpur, police said on Thursday.Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case following coordinated raids across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Police said the interstate operation covered approximately 12,000 km, news agency PTI reported.Md Irshad Alam alias Guddu Badshah, a resident of Supaul district in Bihar, was allegedly called to Delhi to settle an old rivalry with Shamshad and Ashafak, both from his native district.However, police said the meeting was a trap. Alam was shot dead on July 28. Md Farukh, who was found at the crime scene with a bullet injury, initially claimed to be a victim.Detailed interrogation, call-record analysis, technical surveillance and other evidence later revealed inconsistencies in Farukh’s account, exposing his alleged involvement in the conspiracy.He was arrested on the day of the incident, police said.The investigation suggested that the murder stemmed from an old rivalry between Alam and Shamshad and Ashafak, according to police.Several associates of the two allegedly played different roles in planning and executing the murder, arranging accommodation and transportation, coordinating with each other and concealing evidence.The arrested accused have been identified as Farukh, 27, a resident of Pul Prahladpur; Aftab of Supaul; Irfan, 23, a resident of Sahibabad in Ghaziabad; Shamshad, 28, Ashafak, 23, Rahmatullah alias Chhotu, 22, and Shoib Akhtar, residents of Supaul; along with Aman Yadav, 25, a resident of Lal Kuan.According to police, Farukh allegedly gained Alam’s confidence, brought him to the rented premises on the pretext of settling the dispute and coordinated with the other accused.He allegedly later attempted to mislead investigators by posing as an injured victim, PTI reported.Aftab allegedly coordinated the movement of the alleged execution team. He was traced to Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu and arrested with the assistance of local police.Irfan allegedly provided shelter and logistical support after the offence and concealed illegal firearms and ammunition. Based on his disclosure, police recovered an illegal pistol, a magazine and live cartridges.Shamshad allegedly emerged as one of the main conspirators and remained in contact with the other accused through internet-based platforms.Ashafak allegedly participated in the planning and coordination, police said.Rahmatullah allegedly took part in the execution and later helped conceal material evidence. Shoib allegedly accompanied members of the alleged execution team while they travelled from Tamil Nadu to Delhi.Aman allegedly arranged accommodation and logistics for the accused near Lal Kuan and later joined the conspiracy after being offered financial compensation.Police said he accompanied Aftab, Rahmatullah and Shoib on his motorcycle on the night of the incident and allegedly participated in the firing.Police said efforts were underway to recover two more illegal firearms and other case property allegedly concealed by Aman and Farukh.The accused allegedly switched off their mobile phones, changed locations and used internet-based or hotspot communication to evade arrest, PTI reported.Investigators, however, traced them through call records, technical and internet communication analysis, location and movement tracking, field intelligence, CCTV footage and other electronic evidence.Shamshad and Ashafak also have criminal antecedents, including alleged involvement in a murder case registered in Supaul, police said.All eight accused have been produced before a court.Further investigation is underway to recover the remaining case property, establish the complete sequence of events and identify any other person allegedly involved in the conspiracy.(With agency inputs)
