Juvenile led the shootout for revenge; 3 more held in GTB Hospital shooting case

Samad Hoque

New Delhi, July 18

The Delhi Police have arrested three more persons, including a juvenile, in the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital shooting incident which left one person dead on July 14, police officials said on Thursday.

On Sunday, four assailants came to Ward No 24 of the hospital and fired five rounds on a person who was admitted for an abdominal infection. The police had said that the case was of mistaken identity.

The assailants had come to kill a person – Waseem, a history-sheeter – who was occupying the bed opposite to that of the deceased, Riyazuddin (32).

Police sources said that they had also planned to come again if their original plan failed.

“The juvenile has been arrested who had shot Riyazuddin along with two other accused – Fauzaan (20) and Saif (19). They were acting on the information of two individuals – Sameer and Anas,” sources said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara District, Surendra Chaudhary said, “All the three along with a fourth associate went to GTB Hospital on Sunday and killed Riyazuddin thinking him to be the notorious criminal Waseem. All three were arrested from Brahmpuri area of North East District when they were planning to flee from the city. Further investigation is in progress.”

Officials said that they used to share their criminal activities via phone conversations and boasting about them on social media platforms like Instagram to gain more followers.

“Their preference for internet calls through Instagram and Signal App during the planning and execution of crimes shows that they were highly aware of technical surveillance.” they said.

During a rigorous interrogation, a series of crucial details about the incident were unveiled. According to police officials, the juvenile “A” confessed that he received a call from Anas, informing him about Waseem gang’s involvement in the murder of their friend Faiz.

“Anas also mentioned the threats and abuse directed at his brother Allu by Waseem’s gang members while in jail. The situation further escalated when Waseem gang members attacked Kaif – Faiz’s brother, with a blade. In light of these provocations, Anas devised a plan to attack Waseem, who was admitted to GTB Hospital and was deemed vulnerable.” an official said.

‘A’ revealed during questioning that after Anas provided them with two pistols, four magazines, and 19 rounds of ammunition, they divided the weapons amongst themselves. “ ‘A’ took one pistol and two magazines loaded with five rounds each, while another shooter took another pistol with one magazine holding five rounds and another with four rounds,” DCP Shahdara said.

“On the morning of the incident, Fauzaan conducted a recce mission at the hospital to assess the situation. Following this, Faiz provided the group with a motorcycle. Fauzaan, ‘A’, Saif, and Shavez then travelled to GTB Hospital, where Fauzaan identified Waseem’s ward. ‘A’ then fired the first shot at the targeted person, but his pistol jammed before he could fire a second shot. Another shooter then fired three shots from his pistol,” the official continued.

Uncertain whether the other shooter’s shots had hit the target, ‘A’ took matters into his own hands. “To ensure their intended victim’s demise, he quickly repaired his pistol and fired another round,” the police official added.

Throughout the operation, Saif stood guard at the ward’s gate. After executing their plan, the group fled the scene using an e-rickshaw and a motorcycle.

Modus operandi

• Preferred internet calls through Instagram and Signal App during the planning and execution of crime.
• After executing their plan, the group fled the scene using an e-rickshaw and a motorcycle.
• Police sources said they also had planned to come again if their original plan failed.

Shared concerns

One of the arrested Anas mentioned the threats and abuse directed at his brother Allu by Waseem’s gang members. The situation further escalated when Waseem’s gang attacked Kaif – Faiz’s brother, with a blade. Anas devised a plan to attack Waseem. — Police official