Ahmedabad Rural Police Arrest 4 in Contract Killing Bid; Lawyer Among Accused in Attempted Murder Conspiracy

The Ahmedabad Rural Police have uncovered what they describe as a premeditated conspiracy behind an attempted murder in the Vivekanandnagar area, arresting four persons, including a practising lawyer, for allegedly orchestrating a contract attack over a financial dispute.

Police said the investigation revealed that the prime accused had allegedly hired a man to assault the victim for ₹20,000, leading to a knife attack that left the complainant with multiple stab injuries.

The arrests were made during an investigation into an attempted murder case registered at the Vivekanandnagar Police Station

Victim stabbed four times

According to the police, the incident took place at around 8.15 pm on July 9, when complainant Nandkumar Manilal Mudaliyar (51) was present at his shop in Sector 4 of Vivekanandnagar.

An unidentified assailant allegedly entered the shop and attacked him with a knife, inflicting four stab wounds before fleeing the scene. The victim sustained serious injuries and an FIR was subsequently registered against an unknown person.

The case initially remained undetected, prompting the local police and the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch (LCB) to launch a joint investigation using technical surveillance, CCTV analysis and human intelligence.

Investigation uncovers alleged contract attack

Police said the investigation first led to the arrest of Imtiyaz Imamuddin Sirazuddin Sheikh (45), an autorickshaw driver from Vatwa, who allegedly carried out the stabbing.

During interrogation, investigators claimed that Imtiyaz disclosed he had been facing financial difficulties and had discussed his situation with his acquaintance Saro alias Battam Naushad Bandahusain Ansari (26).

Police alleged that Ansari subsequently introduced him to Azharuddin alias Mama Yasinbhai Sheikh (22), who in turn connected him with advocate Rajeshkumar Sankanbhai Mahida (33).

Investigators claim Mahida had an ongoing monetary dispute with the complainant arising out of a property mortgage transaction. According to police, Mahida allegedly decided to have the complainant assaulted to settle the dispute and offered ₹20,000 to have the attack carried out.

Police allege that the accused then hatched a detailed conspiracy, assigning specific roles to each participant before executing the attack.

Alleged conspiracy planned in advance

According to investigators, the accused travelled to the area in both a four-wheeler and a two-wheeler on the day of the incident.

Police alleged that while some members of the group monitored the movement of the complainant, Imtiyaz was transported to the vicinity on a two-wheeler before entering the shop and carrying out the knife attack.

Following the assault, the accused allegedly fled the scene using different vehicles in an attempt to evade detection.

Based on technical evidence and statements recorded during the investigation, police arrested all four accused and claimed to have established the existence of a pre-planned criminal conspiracy.

Four arrested

The arrested accused have been identified as:

• Imtiyaz Imamuddin Sirazuddin Sheikh (45), an autorickshaw driver from Vatva.
• Azharuddin alias Mama Yasinbhai Sheikh (22), originally from Ahmedabad and presently residing in Kheda district.
• Rajeshkumar Sankanbhai Mahida (33), a practising lawyer residing in New Vatva.
• Saro alias Battam Naushad Bandahusain Ansari (26), a resident of Qutubnagar, Vatwa.

Weapons and vehicles seized

Police have seized several items allegedly used in the commission of the offence, including:

• An iron knife believed to have been used in the attack.
• A Suzuki Access scooter.
• A CNG autorickshaw.
• A Tata Punch car.
• Four mobile phones.

Officials said the investigation was carried out jointly by officers of the Vivekanandnagar Police Station and the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch.

Further investigation is under way to ascertain whether additional persons were involved in the conspiracy and to gather further evidence before filing the chargesheet.