Police constable, kin held for murder of vada-pav vendor

A police constable, who earlier worked as the government-appointed driver for public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, and four of his family members, were arrested for the murder of a vada-pav vendor at Geeta Nagar slums in Cuffe Parade, on Sunday.

A police constable, who earlier worked as the government-appointed driver for public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, and four of his family members, were arrested for the murder of a vada-pav vendor at Geeta Nagar slums in Cuffe Parade, on Sunday.

HT Image

Khwaja Moinuddin alias Aamir, 25, owned a vada pav stall near Gateway of India and also worked as a part-time tourist photographer. On Saturday, there was a religious function at Moinuddin’s house. Prakash Sawde, constable from the MRA Marg police station, along with his two brothers, son and nephew were allegedly consuming liquor a little distance away from Moinuddin’s residence. This led to an argument between them.

After the fight, when Moinuddin was out with a relative, the group allegedly attacked them with sharp weapons. Moinuddin was declared dead on arrival at the St George hospital.

Amir’s cousin Mohammad Shahjahaan said: “Moinuddin and the accused had a fight over a cricket match six months ago. Following this, they were hostile to each other. On Saturday, things went out of hand. But we never thought, they would kill him.”

The Cuffe Parade police was informed about the incident on Saturday night following which a non-cognisable complaint was registered. JK Kharat, senior police inspector, Cuffe Parade police station, said: “We have arrested five men, including Sawde, in connection with the murder.”

Sawde was transferred to the MRA Marg police station after he was seen wearing a suit instead of his uniform during the 26/11 trial, when he was Nikam’s driver.