A dispute over suspected mobile phone theft ended in murder in Mumbai’s Mahim area, where a man was allegedly beaten to death by his own friend. Mahim Police have arrested the accused, identified as Nileshkumar Sitaram Singh, who had fled after the crime. He is currently in police custody.
According to police, constable Shankar Teli Tadasam, attached to Mahim Police Station, received a call on Sunday morning informing him that an unconscious man was lying near a public toilet on Mahim Causeway, Arun Kumar Vaidya Marg. A police team rushed to the spot and shifted the victim to Sion Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
During the investigation, the deceased was identified as Mohammad Jayabul Shah alias Anil. Police learned that Jayabul and accused Nileshkumar were known to each other and worked in catering while staying at the same place. Singh suspected Jayabul of stealing his mobile phone, leading to a heated argument.
The verbal dispute soon turned violent, and Singh allegedly assaulted Jayabul with a wooden bamboo stick, causing serious injuries to his head and legs. Jayabul collapsed unconscious, after which the accused fled the scene.
Based on the probe, Mahim Police registered a murder case and launched a manhunt. Singh was later traced and arrested from Mahim. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to attacking Jayabul over suspicion of mobile theft.
After his arrest, the accused was produced before the court, which remanded him to police custody till May 2. Further investigation is underway, said Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Patil.