Security upped in north-east Delhi after teenager’s murder in Seelampur

Woman with alleged ties to gangster Hashim Baba arrested for killing minor boy; had a word with police chief, justice will prevail, says CM; AAP attacks BJP’s ‘double-engine’ govt. over ‘rising crime’

The Delhi police arrested a woman named Ziqra and detained three others on Friday in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old boy, Kunal Singh, in north-east Delhi’s Seelampur a day earlier.

The police said considering the communally sensitive nature of the area, heavy force has been deployed in Seelampur, particularly in J block, where the deceased lived and was stabbed to death. Earlier in the day, protests were held by Kunal’s relatives and other area residents seeking justice for the deceased.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she spoke to Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora over the issue. “We hope that the guilty will be caught soon. Justice will be served to the family. An FIR has been filed and the police are doing their work,” she said.

An officer said Ms. Ziqra, who is said to have close ties with dreaded gangster Hashim Baba, has been booked on charges of conspiracy while the questioning of three other suspects is under way.

The officer added that Ms. Ziqra, who recently stepped out of jail where she was lodged under Arms Act charges, and her associates are suspected to have killed Kunal to avenge the stabbing of her cousin a few days ago, in which she suspected Kunal’s involvement. “Several teams were deputed to investigate the murder of the 17-year-old boy. The accused were identified on the basis of CCTV footage and local intelligence. Further probe is under way,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (East) Pushpendra Kumar.

Kunal used to work at a clothes shop in the Gandhi Nagar market. His father, Rajveer Singh, an autorickshaw driver, said, “A few days ago, my son was caught in the middle of an argument and a fight with a few boys in the neighbourhood. The families of these two boys clashed, however, Kunal was only standing there. He did not commit any crime.”

The Aam Aadmi Party took on BJP’s “double-engine” government over the “law and order collapse”.

Former CM and Leader of the Opposition Atishi hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to whom the Delhi police report, over the “rising crime rate”.

The BJP did not issue any comment.

Published - April 19, 2025 12:38 am IST