Kale can get us killed from jail too, fears Arshi Malik’s family

Nine months after a Ghaziabad cloth trader was gunned down at an Indirapuram high-rise, the Ghaziabad police arrested the absconding prime accused Kale on Thursday early morning. However, the cloth trader’s family continues to remain in fear.

Nine months after a Ghaziabad cloth trader was gunned down at an Indirapuram high-rise, the Ghaziabad police arrested the absconding prime accused Kale on Thursday early morning. However, the cloth trader’s family continues to remain in fear.

Arshi’s brother points to the flat where Kale was staying. (Sakib Ali/HT)

On March 11 this year, Arshi Malik (27) was gunned down at ATS Advantage apartments in Ahinsa Khand, Indirapuram, allegedly by Kale and his accomplices. In January 2015, his 19-year-old brother Amjad was also murdered allegedly by Kale and his accomplices near Kanavani bridge at Vasundhara.

The Malik household heaved a collective sigh of relief on Thursday after they got news of Kale’s arrest. They joy was double as a wedding is to take place in the family on the day.

“We were busy with the wedding preparations when we learnt that Kale has been arrested. He has killed two of my brothers and the anger I have against him cannot be explained in words. We will now fight the case against him with full force and try as much as possible to get him the stringiest of punishment,” said Momeen Malik, Arshi’s brother.

After the attacks on the family, the police had provided round-the-clock security to remaining members. After the first attack on Amjad, Arshi was provided two gunmen. After Arshi’s murder, his family was provided four gunmen.

Arshi’s family only came back to their Indirapuram residence in June, three months after he was murdered. Four gunmen guard the family round-the-clock even as they still struggle to continue with their day-to-day lives.

“We are not completely free of danger now that Kale has been arrested. He is a dangerous man and, if he wishes to, he can get us killed even from inside the jail. Hence, we will not give away the 24-hour security cover as the threat on us still lingers,” Momeen said.

Arshi’s wife and two children along with Moin continue to reside at ATS Advantage apartments and his children have also started going to school now. However, on Thursday, they had gone to South Extension in Delhi to attend the wedding.

“Arshi’s wife does not let the children out of her sight even for a second ever since Arshi’s murder. On the fateful night, Arshi was with his children when he got shot. The children were witnesses to their father’s killing. Now, his wife goes with the security guards to drop and pick up the children from school,” Momeen said.