In a grim turn of events, a 33-year-old man who had previously escaped two alleged attempts on his life was finally stabbed to death in North-East Delhi's Shastri Park area. The fatal attack occurred on the intervening night of December 30 and 31, marking a violent end to a year that had seen him narrowly avoid death multiple times.
A History of Narrow Escapes
The victim, identified as Wasim, was suspected to have affiliations with the so-called Chhainu gang. His recent past was marked by extreme violence. In June of last year, Wasim survived a shooting in the Welcome area, sustaining bullet wounds to his hip and stomach. The assailants in that incident were believed to be members of the rival Hashim Baba gang who were actively searching for him.
An even more tragic case of mistaken identity followed a month later, in July. A labourer named Riyazuddin (32) was shot dead inside Ward 24 of Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in Shahdara. Riyazuddin was being treated for an abdominal infection when an 18-year-old youth entered the ward and fired multiple rounds, causing panic. Investigations revealed that the shooter's intended target was Wasim, who had been admitted to the same ward earlier but was transferred. Unaware of the transfer, the assailant allegedly mistook Riyazuddin for Wasim and killed him.
The Fatal Night in Shastri Park
Wasim's luck ran out near his home in the Buland Masjid area of Shastri Park. He was attacked on the loop road behind a DDA park close to his residence. After being stabbed, he was rushed to JPC Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The hospital authorities subsequently informed the police.
Following the murder, the Shastri Park police station registered a case. Forensic teams were dispatched to the crime scene to collect crucial evidence. Multiple police teams were formed to track down the perpetrators, leading to swift arrests.
Arrests and Motive
Police have arrested two siblings in connection with the murder. They have been identified as Shakir (26) and Islam (22). During interrogation, the duo confessed to killing Wasim, citing a dispute with him. The weapon used in the crime, a knife, has been recovered by the investigators.
Senior police officers stated that while personal enmity is a clear line of inquiry, the precise motive is still under scrutiny. "Prima facie, the murder appears to be linked to a property dispute, though all angles are being examined," a senior officer revealed. The possibility of the murder being connected to ongoing gang rivalries is also being probed.
The case underscores the persistent challenges of gang-related violence and crime in certain pockets of the national capital, ending a life that had already been under severe threat for months.
