Father-son murders: Police fire in air to thwart escape, arrest 2 bros from Jharsuguda
Times of India | 22 April 2025
Bhubaneswar/Jharsuguda/Kolkata: In a joint raid by Odisha and Bengal Police in Jharsuguda's Bandhabahal late on Sunday, police fired four rounds to stop two persons, both sons of Murshidabad double-murder prime accused Ziaul Sheikh, as they attempted to flee from police custody.
They were being brought to Bengal, a police official said.
Brothers Bani Israel (24) and Sefaul Haque (21) had returned to Odisha, where they worked as construction workers, after the violence in Murshidabad. A locally manufactured pistol with two 7.62 mm bullets were found on Bani. Initially, they were detained and were being brought to the local police station when they tried to escape.
Odisha IGP (Northern Range) Himanshu Kumar Lal said: "Bani and Sefaul attempted to flee from police custody. Our team fired four rounds in the air as warning shots to deter them. Due to the quick response of the cops, both accused were successfully arrested."
Along with Bani and Sefaul, six other suspects believed to be involved in the anti-waqf protests in Murshidabad, who had also returned to Odisha, were also being questioned by cops. They would be brought back to Bengal late on Monday, a source said.
Without going into the specifics citing the ongoing probe, Jawed Shamim, ADG (law & order), said: "They (the detainees) were involved in arson and rioting cases in Jafrabad and Betbona villages under Shamsherganj PS. They escaped to Odisha after the incident. Their involvement in the double murder case is also being verified. They are being brought back to Jangipur."
The six detained, Odisha Police said, were identified as Babul Sk (24), Abdul Khalek (24), Saba Karim (25), Roni Sheikh (23), Manarul Sheikh (54) and Azfarul Sheikh (21). All are from Sulitala — which is very close to Jafrabad — and some other neighbouring villages in strife-hit Shamsherganj.
Bengal Special Task Force officers claimed eight more suspects had been rounded up in Odisha, but this could not be immediately ascertained. According to sources, those detained worked as construction workers and labourers in Jharsuguda and had visited Jangipur during Eid. "Their mobile phones are being verified to ascertain their presence in Murshidabad on the day of the violence. Based on prima facie evidence, action will be taken," an STF officer said.
The breakthroughs came after Ziaul, a resident of Sulitala Purbapara, was arrested from North Dinajpur's Chopra on Saturday. Till now, four persons have been arrested for the daylight murders of Haragobindo Das (70) and his son Chandan (44) on April 12.
Ziaul is accused of conspiring and instigating a mob to carry out vandalism at the residence of the deceased. CCTV footage and mobile tower records confirmed his presence at the crime scene. Earlier, police arrested two brothers, Kalu Nadar and Dildar, and one Inzamam ul Haque, in connection with the incident.