In a significant breakthrough, Bhiwandi Taluka police have arrested five individuals in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Ola driver, Akram Iqbal Qureshi. The crime, which occurred on January 17 near the Tansa-Vaitarna Pipeline Road in Pogaon village, Bhiwandi, has been linked to a longstanding land dispute in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
The Disappearance and Discovery
On January 17, Qureshi departed from his residence in Jogeshwari, Mumbai, for his routine cab duties. When he failed to return and became untraceable that afternoon, his family filed a missing person report at Oshiwara police station. The following day, authorities discovered his bludgeoned body near the Tansa-Vaitarna water pipeline in Bhiwandi, with his cab located nearby.
Investigation Unveils a Conspiracy
The investigation gained momentum after the arrest of 20-year-old Jassi Tiwari on January 21 in Thane. CCTV footage and analysis of Qureshi’s mobile records revealed Tiwari’s involvement. Under interrogation, she disclosed the identities of four male accomplices: Mohammad Kaif, Isamuddin Riyazuddin Qureshi, Salman Mohammad Shafiq Khan, and Suhail Ahmed Qureshi, all hailing from Haiderpur village in Uttar Pradesh. These individuals were apprehended on January 27.
Motive Rooted in Land Dispute
Authorities uncovered that the murder stemmed from a protracted land dispute between Qureshi and the accused in Pratapgarh. In July 2024, tensions escalated during a heated argument over the property, prompting the accused to conspire against Qureshi. They enlisted Tiwari, who had relocated to Thane, to lure Qureshi under the pretense of a romantic relationship. She contacted him via Instagram, enticing him to a secluded area in Bhiwandi. Upon his arrival, the group ambushed Qureshi, assaulting him with an iron pipe and stones, leading to his death. Subsequently, they disposed of his mobile phones and personal belongings in the Kalyan creek to eliminate evidence.
Family Seeks Justice
Qureshi’s family, devastated by the loss, is demanding stringent punishment for the perpetrators. They urge the legal system to ensure that those responsible face the full extent of the law.
