Mumbai: Bandra cops say Chapel road murder was premeditated

The area in Bandra where Francis resided

The Bandra murder case seems to stem from a four-month-old grudge, and the cops suspect it was planned beforehand. In the investigation spanning 10 days, it emerged that the accused and the victim knew each other. They had a heated argument at a mutual friend's haldi ceremony in the area. The prime accused, Saad Iqbal Shaikh, known to the deceased, told cops that they had a confrontation under the influence of alcohol four months ago at the haldi function.

The confrontation created a ruckus at the ceremony. Since then, Shaikh allegedly planned revenge against Fernandes. On December 27, while Fernandes was with his family buying groceries, Shaikh was smoking in the area. When the Fernandes family exited the shop, Shaikh blew cigarette smoke at Fernandes's daughter, instigating a fight.

Poster of funeral details of Francis Fernandes

The victim Francis Fernandes, 51, lived on Chapel Road in Bandra West with his wife, Zian, and their 25-year-old daughter. Police suspect the accused purposely provoked a fight by blowing cigarette smoke at Fernandes' daughter to settle an old score.

Premeditated murder

A police officer said, "We suspect that the accused intentionally blew smoke on Fernandes's daughter to provoke a fight and seek revenge for the four-month-old rivalry. Fernandes objected, initiating a confrontation with Shaikh. Subsequently, Shaikh and his brother Rehbar Shaikh stabbed Fernandes multiple times with a knife, causing injuries to his neck, head, chest, and arms. Locals rushed him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead." Police sources suggest the speed with which the accused got back to the victim with weapons indicates premeditation. Shaikh's recent confession seems to align with the sequence of events. Authorities are actively pursuing further leads.

Five suspects arrested

Recently, the Bandra police arrested two more suspects. So far, the Bandra police have arrested five suspects: Saad Iqbal Shaikh, Abbas Mohammad Ali, Rehbar Shaikh, Kajal Raman Das Gupta, and another unnamed suspect. The police now suspect it was a premeditated murder. DCP Krishnakant Upadhyay of Zone 9 confirmed the arrest of all five accused. He said, "Shaikh and Fernandes were acquainted, and although Shaikh had prior assault cases the recent altercation is the focus of the investigation, with charges filed under sections IPC 302, 506(2), 509, 504, and 34, and all accused are in police custody."

51
Age of the victim

Dec 27
Day of murder