After nine years on the run, murder case suspect nabbed by Mumbai Police from Goa

The accused was brought back to Mumbai and formally placed under arrested in connection with the 2017 murder case. Pic/Mumbai Police

Mumbai Police have arrested a 46-year-old man who had been absconding for nine years in connection with a 2017 murder case in Andheri East, police said.

The accused, Mehtab Alam Azimullah Khan, was traced to Goa and brought back to Mumbai following a multi-state operation, it said.

Police said that Khan had been evading arrest since the fatal assault at a scrap yard in the MIDC area of Andheri East on February 3, 2017.

According to investigators, the incident began when the victim, Wasiullah Mohsin Shaikh (41), and his relative, Samshuddin Shaikh (32), were allegedly lured to a scrap yard under the pretext of having lunch with an acquaintance.

Police said the meeting was an ambush linked to an earlier police complaint made by Wasiullah against another individual.

Upon reaching the location, the victims were allegedly attacked by a group of men armed with iron rods and pipes. Wasiullah died from his injuries, while Samshuddin sustained serious injuries.

A case was registered at MIDC Police Station under sections relating to murder, attempted murder and other offences of the Indian Penal Code.

Accused remained on the run

Police said six accused were arrested soon after the incident, but Mehtab Khan managed to flee and remained a wanted fugitive for nine years.

During this period, he allegedly worked in the scrap business while frequently moving between different states to allegedly avoid detection.

Digital investigation leads police to Goa

The search was recently revived by the surveillance team at MIDC Police Station.

Investigators analysed information from social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as commercial websites, etc. Technical surveillance and intelligence inputs helped police trace Khan's movements across Karnataka and Goa.

On August 2, 2026, a police team launched a search operation. The following day, officers received information that Khan would visit the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Vasco, Goa, to collect scrap material.

With assistance from local police, officers set up surveillance and arrested him at the location.

Khan was brought back to Mumbai and formally arrested in connection with the 2017 murder case.

Police said further investigation is underway.