Criminal’s deathshrouded in mystery

Kanpur: Family members of a 32-year-old alleged criminal and auto driver Zahid alias Khunti created an uproar after he died under suspicious circumstances in Rail Bazar on Saturday night, alleging he was murdered.

They alleged that the youth was killed with a sharp-edged weapon, while the police described the incident as an accident. The post-mortem examination report confirmed death due to a sharp-edged weapon blow to the head and excessive bleeding. Enraged family members placed the body on VIP Road and blocked traffic. Police officials later pacified them by assuring action.

Originally a resident of Unnao’s Shuklaganj, Zahid lived on rent in Gwaltoli and drove an auto-rickshaw. He was a criminal and had 19 cases registered against him at Gwaltoli and several other police stations in the city. He operated his auto on the Shuklaganj to Ghantaghar route.

His family includes his father Arif, mother Rahisha, six brothers and six sisters. According to his elder brother Nadeem, Zahid left home with his auto on Saturday morning as usual but did not return until late at night. Younger brother Babu called him several times during the night but the calls went unanswered.

After some time, a call came from the same mobile number. The caller identified himself as a sub-inspector from UP-112 and said that Zahid had met with an accident and had been admitted to a private hospital located at Tatmill. The family reached the hospital and alleged that Zahid had already died before they arrived and his body was lying on a stretcher drenched in blood.

On Sunday afternoon, the post-mortem report revealed that he was killed by a sharp-edged weapon blow to the left side of the head, and death due to excessive bleeding was confirmed.

After the post-mortem examination, family members were taking the body via VIP Road to meet the police commissioner, following which barricades were erected at Gwaltoli Chowraha. DCP, east, Satyajit Gupta and ADCP Shiva Singh arrived after receiving information about the uproar and assured action.

Gupta stated that the deceased’s family members have alleged murder and action will be taken after investigating their written complaint.