Bhopal, April 2: Bhopal police have arrested the main accused in the murder of hotelier Vijay Mewada following a brief shootout in the Ratibad area. The accused, Asif alias Bomb, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the encounter and was immediately taken to Hamidia Hospital for treatment.
According to police, they received specific intelligence about Asif hiding in the Samaspur/Kerwa forest area near Ratibad. While being taken to the police station, Asif suddenly drew a pistol and opened fire on the police team around 12:15 PM. The police retaliated in self-defense, resulting in his injury. A reward of ₹30,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.
It is noteworthy that the murder occurred two days prior near Prabhat Petrol Pump in the Ashoka Garden police station area, where 35-year-old Vijay Mewada had a minor dispute with Asif and his associates. The altercation escalated when Asif and others attacked Mewada with sharp weapons, leading to severe injuries that ultimately resulted in his death at Hamidia Hospital.
Following the incident, police had already arrested two other suspects, Farmaan and Imran, while Asif had been on the run. Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar confirmed the details of the encounter, which has sparked significant public outrage. Various organizations staged protests, marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence, demanding swift justice.
Protesters chanted slogans urging the police to apprehend the accused and demolish their properties using bulldozers. Police managed to disperse the crowd at Polytechnic Square. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and further investigations are ongoing.