New Delhi: Gym Trainer Held After Shootout In DU Student Murder Case

The accused, Aqib alias Imran, allegedly opened fire at a police team after he was cornered near the sub registrar office on Nala Road around 11.15 pm. Police said they fired seven rounds in retaliation, leaving him with three bullet injuries in both legs. No police personnel was injured.

Deputy commissioner of police (West) Hareshwar Swami said the police received specific information about Imran's movement in the area around 10.55 pm and a team reached the spot. “The police team disclosed its identity and repeatedly directed him to surrender. Instead, he suddenly took out a pistol and opened fire towards the police party,” he said.

Police said head constable Jitender initially fired a warning shot in the air, but Imran continued firing. Jitender and head constable Nand Kishore then fired three rounds each towards his legs to apprehend him.

Imran was overpowered and taken to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Raghubir Nagar for treatment. A separate FIR was registered at Rajouri Garden police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

The arrest followed a manhunt by 15 teams after the killing of Muskan Sharma on August 26. An FIR under Section 103(1) of the BNS was registered at Tilak Nagar police station on August 27.

Police said teams from the special staff, AATS, narcotics squad, local police and specialised units analysed CCTV footage to reconstruct Imran's movements. The footage allegedly showed him entering Muskan's house around 5.45 pm on August 26 and leaving around 6 pm, following which investigators identified him as the prime accused.

Muskan was a second-year student at Delhi University's School of Open Learning and also worked as a content creator and part-time model, police said. She lived with her parents and siblings in a rented house near Mangla Hospital.

According to police, Imran had known Muskan for around 18 months after meeting her at the gym where he worked as a trainer. A gym worker said Imran had worked there for about three months before being removed around two months ago over alleged inappropriate behaviour with customers.

Police suspect their relationship became strained after Muskan allegedly learnt that Imran was also involved with another woman and decided to end their association. Police also suspect that he became increasingly angry after she began speaking to another man in recent months.

Police said Muskan approached a police station on July 18 alleging that Imran was harassing her, but did not lodge a formal complaint. Given his alleged history of drug use, he was sent to a de-addiction centre and released on July 30 after allegedly harming himself there.

On August 26, Imran allegedly went to Muskan's house when she was alone. Following an argument, he allegedly stabbed her multiple times in the stomach and strangled her before fleeing. He also allegedly took her mobile phone and later threw it away after failing to unlock it.

A house help later found Muskan injured on the second floor and alerted her family. Police received a PCR call at Tilak Nagar police station at 7.24 pm. Muskan was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead-on arrival.

Police said Imran has two previous cases registered against him at Tilak Nagar police station. These include a 2018 case involving stalking, assault and provisions of the POCSO Act, and a 2021 case under Section 308 of the IPC.

Further investigation is underway.