The Delhi Police have apprehended two individuals in relation to the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man inside a ward at the GTB Hospital, officials announced on Monday. The suspects, identified as Faiz (20) from Loni in Uttar Pradesh and Farhan from Chauhan Banger in Delhi, were arrested but are not believed to have fired the shots.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening when four individuals arrived at GTB Hospital on a motorcycle. One of them entered Ward 24 and shot the patient, killing him on the spot. According to news agency PTI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary stated, "We are interrogating Faiz and Farhan and will take their police remand to identify the shooter. Our teams are working round the clock to apprehend the remaining suspects."
The primary target was a gangster, a rival of the Hasim Baba gang, who had previously been shot and was admitted to the same ward. However, the attackers mistakenly shot Riyazuddin, who was in a different bed. Police confirmed that the shooters had detailed instructions on how to escape after the crime, PTI reported.
On Sunday, a murder case was registered based on the statement of Tarranum Malik, Riyazuddin's sister. She reported that an unknown assailant fired at her brother inside Ward 24. DCP Choudhary mentioned, "Video footage from cameras near the ward and the ground floor has been obtained, showing four people entering the hospital emergency gate."
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GTB Hospital Murder: Shooters Killed Wrong Target, Police Say
Multiple teams were formed to investigate, and social media profiles and call records were scrutinised. This led to Faiz's arrest from Laxmi Garden in Loni, Uttar Pradesh. During interrogation, Faiz revealed that Faheem, also known as Badshah Khan, was the mastermind. Faheem is associated with the Hasim Baba gang. Faiz and his brothers frequently met Faheem, who instructed them to carry out the attack.
"On the day of the incident, Faheem called them to his flat in Babarpur and instructed them to kill a specific person in the hospital ward," said DCP Choudhary. Faheem also provided them with escape instructions. During further questioning, it was disclosed that the assailants conducted reconnaissance of the hospital before executing the plan.
"They were sent to attack a man in GTB Hospital but they mistakenly shot someone else. We have identified five other people and our team is investigating the matter," DCP Chaudhary informed
PTI reported sources within the police explained that Riyazuddin was not the intended target. The actual target was Waseem (33), who has a criminal history and had been shot four times in the Welcome area last month. The attackers, mistaking Riyazuddin for Waseem, shot him instead.
Another police officer revealed, "Faheem had been planning the attack for a month, showing maps of the hospital and conducting meetings at his flat." Despite identifying all shooters, two are suspected to be juveniles.
According to PTI, The officer further stated, "The attackers used the normal entry to the hospital, reached the ward, shot Riyazuddin multiple times, and fled. Despite the presence of security guards, no one intervened, allowing the assailants to escape."