Bhopal, April 1 (IANS) Bhopal police on Wednesday arrested the prime accused in the murder of hotel owner Vijay Mewada after a brief exchange of fire in the Ratibad area.
The accused, Asif alias Bam, was shot in the leg during the encounter and rushed to Hamidia Hospital for treatment.
Police said they had received specific intelligence that Asif was hiding in the Samaspur/Kerwa forest area near Ratibad.
As officers were taking him to the police station after his arrest, Asif suddenly pulled out a pistol and opened fire on the team near Ratibad around 12:00-12:15 p.m.
The police retaliated in self-defence, injuring him in the leg. A reward of Rs 30,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.
The murder took place two days ago near Pragati Nagar under the Ashoka Garden police station limits. Mewada, 35, had a minor altercation with Asif and his associates near Prabhat Petrol Pump.
The dispute escalated when Asif and others attacked him with sharp weapons.
Mewada was critically injured in the first blow and succumbed during treatment at Hamidia Hospital.
Two other accused, Farman and Imran, were arrested soon after the crime. Asif, the third and main accused, had been on the run.
Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar confirmed the details of the encounter.
The incident triggered strong public outrage. Various organisations staged protests and a foot march towards the Chief Minister’s residence, demanding swift justice.
Demonstrators raised slogans calling for the police to arrest the accused and the demolition of their properties using bulldozers.
Police intercepted the protesters at Polytechnic Square and dispersed them.
The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
--IANS
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