The second wife of Bulandshahr BSP MlA Haji Aleem was found murdered at her residence in New Jafrabad in Welcome area of North-east Delhi on Wednesday morning.
The deceased 42-year-old, Rihana Choudhary, sustained a fatal bullet injury and five stab wounds. Killers seem to be known to the victim as their entry into the house was not forceful. Interestingly, Haji Aleem, left for Haj on Monday.
Rihana’s domestic help, Shahjahan, who reached the victim’s residence on Wednesday morning, was aghast to find her employer’s body lying in a pool of blood. She raised an alarm. Rihana’s neighbours gathered at her residence and in turn informed the police around 9.30am, a police official.
A team of forensic experts examined the scene of the crime and collected proofs that are being matched to ascertain the identity of the killers, the official added.
Police said the killers’ entry into the house seems to be friendly. There were two teacups found in the room. Although, there is no evidence of ransacking, `20 lakh cash in reported to be missing. The killers knew where cash was kept, informed the police official. A live cartridge of .32 bore gun and a used cartridge were recovered from the crime spot.
“Prima facie it appears that the accused knew the victim. The house was not ransacked and robbery does not appear to be the motive behind the murder, but it seems it was done with a purpose to mislead the police. There are many angles, and all are being probed,” an officer involved in the investigations said.
“There were five stab wounds and a bullet injury on the chest of the victim,” Joint CP (Eastern Range) Sanjay Beniwal said. Police said that there is a strong possibility that the incident took place on Tuesday night. The killers seem to have first shot the victim, then stabbed her five times after slitting her throat, a police official said, adding that there were stab wounds on her neck and hands too.
Initial investigation revealed that Rihana was last seen around 9 pm on Tuesday night. Investigators are baffled that none of her neighbours heard the gunshot despite many of them remaining active till midnight.
She had been staying here for the last four years and her husband used to visit her regularly, said the president of Resident Welfare Association, Jujaj Ahmad. It would be interesting to note that Haji Aleem and his brother Haji Yunus are facing a NBW for their alleged involvement in a rape case.