Kolkata police have arrested Muslim Ansari, suspected of murdering 41-year-old fruit vendor Mehboob Alam in broad daylight at Rajabazar crossing on December 22. The arrest was made six days after the attack, on December 28, at the Birni Police Station compound in Giridih, Jharkhand. The scooty used in the crime was also recovered.
Investigators recovered the knife believed to be the murder weapon, which had been left at the crime scene. The accused is set to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Giridih, where police will seek a transit remand to bring him back to Kolkata for further proceedings.
According to joint CP (crime & traffic) Rupesh Kumar, the murder was allegedly motivated by a personal dispute: an extra-marital affair between the victim and the accused’s wife.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Muslim Ansari confront Mehboob Alam at his fruit stall on APC Road, leading to a heated argument before the fatal knife attack. Alam was rushed to Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The shocking daylight attack left the local community in fear.
Police continue to investigate the case and have confirmed the suspect’s prior movements and motive.
