The victim was assaulted with a chopper and iron rods; grieving family demands strict action as two suspects are in custody; the incident began when the deceased returned after finishing his shift and came to park his car in the parking area in front of the office
The victim, Sahil Shahid Gujjar. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
An illegal parking mafia dispute in Malwani claimed the life of a young cab driver, who was brutally attacked and stabbed to death late on Saturday evening. The deceased, identified as Sahil Shahid Gujjar, 27, a resident of Ganesh Nagar, Kandivli West, supported his family by driving a rented Ola cab. He was assaulted near Lagoon Road, Plot No. 50, Malwani — an area notorious for illegal parking operations.
According to police sources, the incident began when the deceased returned after finishing his shift and came to park his car in the parking area in front of the office. The car had no gas, which led to an argument. Accused Owais Sheikh, who, apart from managing parking, also drove an Ola cab at night, clashed with the victim over the issue. The quarrel soon escalated into a physical fight.
According to the FIR filed by his younger brother, Adil Shahid Gujjar, 19, the incident began around 7 pm on August 15 when Adil received a call from a friend about Sahil being involved in a fight. Soon after, another acquaintance informed him that Sahil had clashed with Farooq Sheikh and Owais Sheikh, who managed the parking lot, and had suffered a nose injury. Reaching the spot at about 8 pm, Adil saw Sahil bleeding from his nose. Sahil told him that Farooq and Owais had argued with him over parking, punched him, and warned him not to casually refer to their associates but to address them respectfully as “Pandey-bhai” and “Sajid-bhai.”
As Adil attempted to take Sahil to a hospital, the situation escalated. Farooq and Owais allegedly returned on a Suzuki Bergman scooter marked with the number “313” in red, accompanied by four to five unidentified men armed with iron rods. Opening the scooter’s trunk, they pulled out weapons. Farooq held an iron rod, while Owais wielded a chopper. Without provocation, Owais allegedly stabbed Sahil in the stomach, declaring, “I will not leave you alive today,” as Farooq struck his hand, chest, and back with the rod.
When Adil tried to intervene, Farooq swung the rod at him, but he dodged. Other men restrained him and beat him with fists and rods. No bystander came forward. Sahil collapsed, bleeding heavily, his intestines protruding from the stab wound, as the assailants fled with their weapons. The police said that Owais admitted himself to a hospital and told the cops that he had been assaulted by the deceased.
Hospitalisation and death
Adil managed to rush his critically injured brother to Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivli West, where Sahil was admitted. Despite efforts by doctors, Sahil succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday, August 16.
The death has left the Gujjar family devastated. Sahil, the eldest son, was the primary breadwinner. He is survived by his parents, three younger brothers, and a sister. Sahil was preparing for his wedding, scheduled for August 30, just two weeks after the attack.
“This mafia has destroyed our family. My brother was only trying to earn a living,” said Adil in his police statement. Speaking with mid-day, Adil's uncle, Hassan Gujjar, said that whoever is involved should not be spared; the accused must be given the strictest punishment.
Residents speak
Residents say this is not the first time the mafia has harassed them. The parking mafia is operating on a large scale in Malvani Lagoon Road, Marve Road, Mahada Gate No. 8, and Ambujwadi areas. “Whenever a major incident occurs, police initiate action at a personal level, enforce strictness for two to four days, and then the situation returns to the same state as before. People have complained before, but no strict action was taken,” said a resident.
Speaking with mid-day, a local said, “Whenever the victim goes to the police station to complain, the accused sends one of their associates after, inflicting self-injury, who then alleges that the complainant assaulted him. Many times it has also been seen that the accused party files false charges of molestation of a minor girl under POCSO and reaches the police station first. Out of fear of such serious charges, the actual victim is forced to compromise.”
“The police do not investigate matters with seriousness. This is why, despite being troubled, people avoid approaching the police station. Such practices only embolden criminals and mafias. If the Mumbai police were to review the cases registered at Malwani police station, the majority would turn out to be false and fabricated,” said a local resident.
Police speak
A police officer said, “Two accused, Farooq Shaikh and Owais Shaikh, who had allegedly stabbed Gujjar, were detained by the police team. Farooq is currently in police custody, while Owais has been hospitalised and is undergoing treatment under police presence. A search for the other accused is underway.” Senior Inspector Shailendra Nagarkar of Malwani police station confirmed that a case has been registered under the relevant sections of BNS, and that efforts to trace the remaining accused are in progress.
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