Jewelley shopowner’s murder: Man held, police on lookout for his two associates

Police suspect that while Firdausi had planned the murder, it was executed by his two associates. (Representational Image)  

DAYS AFTER a 55-year-old jewellery showroom owner was found murdered at his shop in central Kolkata, the police on Thursday made the first arrest in the case. The accused has been identified as Mohammed Ashar Firdausi (32), a resident of Bhukailash Road in Ekbalpore area of Kolkata, said Joint CP (Crime) Vishal Garg. The police suspect the involvement of two others in the incident.

Mohammad Salim, who had a showroom near Nakhoda Mosque in Jorasanko, was found strangled, with tape in his mouth and nose, on Monday night. While no CCTV cameras were installed at the shop, valuable stones, cash and the deceased’s cellphone were found missing. Based on a complaint lodged by the accused’s family, a case was lodged at Jorasanko police station under sections 302 (murder), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery) of the Indial Penal Code.

Police suspect that while Firdausi had planned the murder, it was executed by his two associates. “A team on the lookout for the two in Howrah and Bihar. It is suspected that Firdausi’s father owns a small shop near Salim’s showroom… The accused may have known that the victim was about to receive a huge amount of money from a customer,” a police officer said.

“After the client left Salim’s shop, while Firdausi waited outside, the two accused entered the showroom and committed the crime… It seems like a case of murder for gain… However, we don’t want to reach any conclusion right now,” the officer added.