Former NCP corporator of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Salim Qureshi, who had been absconding since March five, was found dead at the city outskirts.
The police discovered his body buried at barren land in Padegaon area of city and have arrested seven people for his murder. Qureshi, who was also an owner of Roxy film theatre, was absconding since Monday. The police failed to reach at any conclusions as there was no clue behind his murder. Addressing a news conference here today, city police commissioner Sanjay Kumar formed three separate teams to investigate the matter. The police got a tip off that Qureshi was murdered and buried at city outskirts.
Accordingly the police on Sunday noon reached at the barren land of Paegaon area, about 12 km from city, and discovered Kureshi’s body.
Following it, the police swung into action and arrested Shaikh Imran Shaikh Nazir alias Imran Mehnadi, Najir Ali, Imran Safuddin alias Sultan, Numan Khan Kayyum Khan, Juber Khan Shabbir Khan, Farid Khan, Feroz Khan, Mohd Shoaib Mohd Sadiq last night.
The main accused Imran Mehandi is a sharp shooter and is a member of Ezaj Pathan gang, Mr Kumar said. About 15 cases of various forms were lodged on his head. High security comprising 30-40 policemen were deployed to avoid any untoward incident. The body was later moved to the Government Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.
Elaborating the chronology of the incident, the police commissioner said that Quershi on Monday after concluding the late night show at the Roxy Theatre headed to his home. One of his friend accompanied him on his way. As he was about to reach home, some persons stopped his vehicle and took him to some unknown place.
He said that initially, it seemed to be the case of kidnapping for ransom. But now it is believed that the business rivalry was main reason behind the murder. The accused were produced before a local court which remanded them to the police custody till March 25, he added.
–Agencies