13 May,2026 01:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Both suspects were traced to the Mahim Dargah area and arrested during a late-night operation in the early hours of Wednesday. PIC/Mumbai Police
In a swift and effective operation, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch arrested two suspects within 24 hours in connection with the firing incident involving Sameer Mohammad Asif Khan alias Sameer Sheikh, the 41-year-old son of alleged D-Company associate Asif Shaikh alias Asif Dadi, in the Byculla-Mazgaon area.
The incident took place on Tuesday around 5.45 pm to 6.15 pm on Dockyard Road near Minakshi Apartment in Mazgaon. The attackers allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and fired a single shot at Sheikh, hitting him in the leg. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and is stated to be out of danger. An FIR was registered by Byculla Police under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act and the Arms Act.
The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation and, employing a combination of technical surveillance, human intelligence and rapid ground action, identified the main accused - a 30-year-old man who allegedly carried out the firing - and his 33-year-old accomplice. Both suspects were traced to the Mahim Dargah area and arrested during a late-night operation in the early hours of Wednesday. Police have recovered the weapon allegedly used in the crime, the motorcycle used by the attackers, and mobile phones from the duo. Further investigation is now being handled by Crime Branch Unit 3.
The entire operation was conducted under the guidance of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Laxmi Gautam, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawde, Deputy Commissioner Raj Tilak Raushan, and Assistant Commissioner Sadanand Rane. Senior officers from Crime Branch Units 2 and 3, including Inspector Sadanand Yerekar and Inspector Dilip Rastudkar, along with other personnel, took part in the operation.
Given Sameer Sheikh's family background - his father Asif Dadi has a history of alleged links to the D-Company network and had himself survived a firing incident in 2008 - investigators are examining multiple angles. Police are probing personal rivalry and financial disputes as possible motives behind the attack. Teams are analysing CCTV footage from the area and gathering forensic evidence to establish the full sequence of events and motive.
