Week after man shot dead at Delhi cafe, suspect held following encounter

DCP Special Cell Amit Kaushik told mediapersons on Friday, “After posting the video, Qureshi went underground and later deleted the clip… “We eventually confirmed his identity through CCTV footage… On the evening of January 29, we received information that Qureshi would come to the Trans-Yamuna area.”

Early Friday, a Special Cell team learnt that Qureshi planned to collect money near Dheerpur ITI in Timarpur to finance his escape from Delhi. When he arrived on a bike and was asked to surrender, he allegedly opened fire, said police. “After repeated warnings, the team retaliated in self-defence. He was hit in the leg,” Kaushik said.

During preliminary questioning, Qureshi allegedly told investigators that he and Faizan were from the same locality and had a dispute over a Rs 30,000-loan Faizan had given to him. Police said Qureshi claimed Faizan had misbehaved with his father over the repayment of loan. Upset, Qureshi allegedly procured a pistol and shot him after learning he was at the cafe.

Police records show Qureshi studied up to Class 10 and initially worked at a shop before allegedly turning to vehicle theft. He was arrested in a theft case last year, and had recently come out of jail.

A loaded semi-automatic pistol and cartridges were recovered from his possession, officers said.