Seven held over brutal Vattepally murder linked to black magic belief

Falaknuma police have arrested six persons and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the murder of a 53-year-old real estate businessman at Vattepally on August 30, with police attributing the killing to a belief in black magic.

Mohd. Mehboob Ali, a resident of Fatima Nagar, Vattepally, was attacked with knives and daggers near Almas Hotel at around 9.30 p.m. on August 30. He suffered multiple injuries and was shifted to Princess Esra Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

During the investigation, police apprehended Mirza Mohsin Baig, Mohammed Imran Ahemad, Mohd. Naseer, Shaik Akram, Mohd. Abrar Ali, Mohammed Sami alias Shutter and a juvenile on September 3. According to police, Baig suspected that Mehboob Ali had performed black magic on his mother, Tahera Begum, which he believed had caused her prolonged illness.

He also suspected him of being responsible for the death of his maternal uncle, Mohammed Khaleel, through black magic. Police said Baig shared these suspicions with his cousin Imran Ahemad, who advised him to eliminate Mehboob Ali and assured him that he would help secure bail for those involved.

The two, along with Naseer, Akram, Abrar Ali, Sami and the juvenile, then allegedly planned the murder, police said. On August 30, after learning that Mehboob Ali was near Almas Hotel, the group allegedly assembled at Ayaan Darbar Hotel, procured six knives and daggers and travelled to the spot on two two-wheelers.

They intercepted Mehboob Ali and attacked him with the weapons, inflicting multiple injuries to his head, chest, hands and other parts of the body, police said. The police seized the two two-wheelers, six knives and daggers and three mobile phones allegedly used in the offence.

All six accused and the juvenile were apprehended on September 3 and produced before a court for judicial custody, police said.