Nagpur: In a major breakthrough in the Ambazari café murder case, Nagpur police have arrested Shahid Sheikh alias Salim Sheikh alias Shahid Akhtar, a key accused who had been absconding for nearly three months. The accused was arrested from the Gamma-1 area of Greater Noida in Delhi with the assistance of the Kotwali Police, Circle-2, and has been brought to Nagpur on transit remand for further investigation.
The accused, originally an autorickshaw driver and resident of Tulsi Bagh Mahal in Nagpur, had been living in a rented accommodation in Greater Noida to evade arrest. Police sources confirmed that Shahid had played a crucial role in procuring firearms used in the murder of café owner Avinash Bhusari.
Background of the Case
On April 15, café operator Avinash Bhusari was shot dead in the Ambazari police station area. Following the incident, police registered an FIR against unknown assailants and formed multiple special teams to track down those involved. So far, five accused — Shailesh alias Bunty Hiranwar (31), Ankit Hiranwar (22), Adarsh alias Gotya Walke (20), Shibbu Rajesh Yadav (20), and Rohit alias Bhikku Meshram (20) — have been arrested.
The police investigation revealed that the accused conspired to kill Bhusari due to a personal rivalry. The gang had reportedly purchased three pistols for ₹1.2 lakh to execute the plan, and Shahid Sheikh had helped procure the weapons. Several other suspects in the case are still at large.
Used Multiple Mobile Numbers to Mislead Police
After the murder, Shahid continuously changed his location and mobile numbers to evade arrest, making it difficult for the police to trace him. Eventually, the Nagpur police received a tip-off that Shahid was hiding in the Gamma-1 locality of Greater Noida.
Acting on the information, Nagpur Crime Branch officials coordinated with Vinod Kumar, in-charge of Kotwali Police, Circle-2, Greater Noida. In a joint operation, Shahid was apprehended and produced before the district court in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Upon receiving transit remand approval, Nagpur police took custody of the accused and brought him back to the city for interrogation.
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected as police work to track down the remaining absconding accused.
