Mumbai: The four accused who allegedly stabbed three Bhandup residents to death during an altercation on Sunday are drug addicts and would often pick fights with local residents, eyewitnesses said on Monday. Police also picked up several suspects for questioning in connection with the case.
Ghulam Ali Khan (48) and his sons Shehbaz (25) and Shadaab (15) were allegedly stabbed to death by the accused during an altercation around 4.30 pm. All were residents of Zakariya Masjid in Bhandup (West). Locals identified one of the accused as Kasim Qureshi, and the other three as his cousins.
Ghulam’s cousin Riyaz Ali Khan said, “Mr. Qureshi and his cousins were drug addicts. They owned two vegetable carts and frequently fought over parking space with other vegetable vendors and locals. They had also had a fight with Ghulam earlier. Ghulam and his family had cordial relations with everyone.”
Afzal Chaudhary, also a local resident, added, “Not much is known about them. They shifted here around a year ago and were not popular due to their habit of picking fights. We think this attack might have been preplanned, as the knife wasn’t what vegetable vendors usually use.”
Police said Ghulam dealt in scrap and owned a tempo service. DCP (Zone VII) Akhilesh Singh, “We’re yet to ascertain what the argument was about. The accused first stabbed Ghulam. When his sons rushed to his rescue, they were stabbed as well.”
The victims were taken to Fortis Hospital, Mulund, where Shehbaz was declared dead before admission. Ghulam and Shadaab died during treatment.
