Auto driver murdered after drunken brawl, accused held within 24 hours

The Toli Chowki police arrested a 26-year-old man within 24 hours of allegedly killing his friend following a drunken fight over a mobile phone in the early hours of Thursday.

The accused, Mohammed Ishaque alias Khalid, an electrician by profession, is accused of strangling Mohammed Muzzamil alias Ayub, 25, an auto driver from Hakeempet, Tolichowki.

According to an officer from the Tolichowki police station, on October 30, Muzzamil’s brother, Shaik Muzaffar, 20, lodged a complaint stating that he last saw his brother around 1.30 a.m. near an auto stand in Tolichowki. Later that morning, he was informed that Muzzamil was found dead inside his auto.

“Inquiries revealed that Muzzamil was drinking with Khalid and a few others at around 2 a.m. when an argument broke out between the two over a mobile phone. Khalid strangled Muzzamil with a cord, causing his death, and fled with the victim’s mobile phone,” said the officer.

Based on eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, the accused was tracked down and arrested in Hakeempet on Friday at 7 a.m. Police seized the deceased’s mobile phone and the autorickshaw bearing number AP 28 TE 4816.