The arrested individuals allegedly involved in the murder of a rowdy sheeter.
Eight individuals were arrested by Rein Bazar police on Tuesday (April 15) near a theatre in Santosh Nagar for their alleged involvement in the murder of a rowdy sheeter, Mohammed Masiuddin alias Masi, in a premeditated knife attack.
The accused were identified as Mohammed Pasha Jeelani alias Sher, 42, Mohd Omer Khan, 29, Mohammed Arif Khan alias Khan, 40 Mohammed Ghouse Uddin alias Sajji, 36, Mohammed Tabrez alias Tabbu, 29, Syed Ibrahim, 26 Syed Basheer alias Basheer Khan, 40 and Mohammed Abubakar alias Abbu, 28, all residents of Hyderabad. According to the police, the murder stemmed from a personal grudge and threats exchanged during the month of Ramzan.
The victim, Masiuddin, aged 27, was a rowdy sheeter under the Falaknuma police station and had multiple cases registered against him. Known locally as ‘Masi Don’, he had a reputation for extortion and had previously been detained under the Preventive Detention Act in 2020.
Police said tensions escalated on March 23 when Masi allegedly approached Mohd Omer Khan, one of the accused, who was selling watermelons at Dabeerpura, and demanded ₹20,000 to allow him to continue his business. When Omer refused, Masi reportedly threatened him, leading to a physical altercation.
Citing continued threats from Masi, the accused decided to kill him before his wedding. Over the course of three days, the group monitored his movements. On the night of April 13, after confirming his presence near a medical shop in Dabeerpura, the group attacked him. Masiuddin was held and beaten by some of the accused while others stabbed him, resulting in his death on the spot, informed the police.
Following the murder, the accused reportedly fled the scene. The arrested individuals are all acquainted through personal and local connections, with several of them having prior involvement in criminal activities. Mohammed Pasha Jeelani, considered the key conspirator, is a textile businessman and close associate of Mohd Omer Khan and Mohammed Arif Khan. Pasha Jeelani was previously involved in a bodily offence case in Rein Bazar police in 2024; Tabrez has a past record under an attempt to murder case at Domalguda police station; Ibrahim is involved in a murder case under Chaderghat police and has a rowdy sheet maintained against him. Investigators say Pasha Jeelani served as a common link between the group.
They gang was arrested two days later, and the police seized four knives used in the murder from a graveyard in Dabeerpura. Police also seized four two-wheelers and five mobile phones used in the execution of the crime.
The accused were remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is under way.
Published – April 15, 2025 09:04 pm IST
