Fruit vendor stabs father-son duo over monetary dispute

While the father died in the hospital, the son was severely injured and is recuperating in JJ hospital.

Mumbai: A fruit seller was arrested for allegedly stabbing a father-son duo over a monetary dispute. Police said the accused attacked a 55-year-old man and his 30-year-old son with a knife and sickle before fleeing the spot.

Both were rushed to the hospital but Babuji died during treatment while Chhotu Qureshi is currently out of danger and recuperating in the hospital (PTI)

While the father died in the hospital, the son was severely injured and is recuperating in JJ hospital. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested the vendor from Malad before he could leave for his native place.

According to the police, Babuji Qureshi, 55, and his son Chhotu Qureshi, 30, ran a wholesale business of apples in the Null Bazar area and the accused, Sohrab Muntaj Qureshi, 25, also had a fruit stall in the same vicinity.

Police said Sohrab had taken a consignment of apples worth ₹35,000 from Babuji but failed to pay him. As a result, both had repeated arguments for two to three days.

On Saturday at around 10.30 am when Babuji asked for payment again, Sohrab picked up a knife and stabbed Babuji in his abdomen four to five times and also slashed his shoulder and hands, said senior inspector Subhash Borade of the JJ police station.

“The knife broke and the blade remained stuck in Babuji’s abdomen. Sohrab then took a sickle and stabbed Chhotu Qureshi when he intervened to save his father,” said Borade.

Locals made a video of the incident and submitted it to the police.

Both were rushed to the hospital but Babuji died during treatment while Chhotu Qureshi is currently out of danger and recuperating in the hospital, said Borade.

JJ police has registered cases of murder and attempt to murder against Sohrab.

Mumbai crime branch unit 11 arrested the accused from Malwani and handed him over to the JJ police station for further investigation. The accused was produced in the court and remanded to police custody till Tuesday, said crime branch officials.