Kalwa woman’s murder: Police comb illegal drug dens to trace suspect

After it emerged that Kalwa murder accused Mushtaq Sheikh, who went missing after allegedly strangling his pregnant wife Yasmeen to death at their residence on Monday night, is a drug addict the police have initiated inquiries in areas reported to be haunts of drug peddlers and addicts in a bid to trace his whereabouts.

According to the Kalwa police, Yasmeen's father and several of the suspect's friends have told the police that he is addicted to smack and would often go to Mumbai to buy the drugs.

"We have started inquiries among our informants in areas like Reay Road and Dharavi to check if Sheikh tried to seek refuge there. Several of our teams are working in these areas, keeping an eye out for him," said police inspector Prakash Ekbota, Kalwa police station.

The police said it has tried to trace Mushtaq's whereabouts based on his cell phone location, but his phone is switched off.

Many who commit petty crimes like theft, robbery etc do so to fuel their addiction, trying to get quick cash to buy their days' dose of smack, said officers. Besides, addicts generally favour a regular peddler for their supply, and there is a high chance of them being traced through their peddlers, the police said.

Sheikh, who is a Hindu by birth, had converted to Islam three months ago so that he could marry Yasmeen.

However, his unemployment and addiction soon soured the marriage, leading to frequent fights between the couple. On Monday night, following an argument so serious that Yasmeen's parents had to intervene.

Mushtaq allegedly strangled her with a dupatta and has been on the run ever since.

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