Each time the habitual offender is arrested, he goes on a hunger strike, inspiring fear in the hearts of Vakola policemen, who don't want a custodial death on their hands
Ever since they arrested Murgan Isaki Tevar 16 days ago, the Vakola police have been dispensing their duties in a state of perpetual terror. Any scope of joy at nabbing a man notorious for house break- ins is mitigated by the fact that Murgan has been on a hunger strike, ever since he was nabbed — something that he does each time he is arrested.
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| Too 'fast' for cops: In the most recent case, the Vakola police on April 4 took custody of Murgan from the VP Road police, who had arrested him, By this time, he had already gone on hunger strike |
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Cops feel that Murgan’s strange predilection to start fasting each time he is arrested is an attempt to put pressure on them — and it usually works. On many occasions, the police have let him go, worried about the consequences they would have to face if the habitual offender died in their custody.
Murgan aka Narayan (47) is a resident of Kalva, and has been breaking into homes for the past five years. Murgan even has several accomplices, who collectively refer to themselves as the ‘ Murgan gang.’ The police have also arrested three accomplices, identified as Ahmed Mushtaq Qudros Shah (26), Zahir Mohammad Aslam Sheikh (38) and Mohammad Imran Khaliluddin Sheikh (27).
According to the police, Murgan is an expert cat burglar, who breaks into homes undetected at night, and has around 40 cases registered against him in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
'Fast' trick
Police officials revealed that upon arrest, Murgan immediately goes on hunger strike and does not even consume water. A police officer from Vakola police station said, “ Last year, he was arrested by the Vashi police in a case of house break- in. He was sent to Taloja jail, where he went without food and water for a month. Finally, police officials let him go.” A police officer shared that this is Murgan’s tactic to avoid being questioned by the police, which might culminate in him surrendering the stolen property from his many robberies.
While the Andheri police had earlier evinced interest in taking him into their custody, they changed their mind when they came to know that he was on hunger strike — yet again.
In the most recent case, the Vakola police, on April 4, took custody of Murgan from the V P Road police, who had arrested him. By this time, he had already gone on hunger strike.
An officer said, “ When we brought him in and offered him food, he refused to have it. The V P Road police officials had told us about his fast, but we hoped that he would start eating in a few days. But, till date, he has not taken food or water.” With no other alternatives, the police have resorted to offering him food and water thrice a day, and recording the fact that he has not touched the meal in their diary, for the purposes of record keeping.
A police officer said, “ Murgan’s condition is very critical, and he has now stopped speaking and is unable to even move. He has three days left in custody, and we just want them to pass without incident, after which we will be relieved.” Their shared anxiety stems from the fear that if Murgan dies in the lock- up, the matter would be labelled as a case of custodial death.
April 4
The day the Vakola police took custody of Murgan from V P Road police station
Gang busted
The police have also arrested three accomplices of Murgan, Ahmed Mushtaq Qudros Shah (26), Zahir Mohammad Aslam Sheikh (38) and Mohammad Imran Khaliluddin Sheikh (27).
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