Man killed while defending brother in street brawl

Three family members including two women were allegedly involved in the murder of a 23-year-old youth over a quarrel in the wee hours on Wednesday. They also grievously injured the victim's younger brother and have now been taken in police custody.

Accused Imtiyaaz Memon alias Chor (36) in police custody

On the day of incident, Malwani local Junaid Khan was making his way home with his friend Mohammad Hussain, when they were accosted by accused Imtiyaaz Memon alias Chor (36). Memon, who was inebriated, started abusing them. When Junaid retaliated, Memon started thrashing him.

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The deceased Mohsin Afzal Khan (left), who tried to defend his brother in a street fight but sustained fatal injuries. Injured victim Junaid Khan's friend Mohammad Hussain, who was caught in the fight and phoned the deceased victim Mohsin Khan asking him to rush to their rescue

Alarmed, Hussain called Junaid's elder brother Mohsin Afzal Khan. Meanwhile, Memon went home and emerged wielding a sharp weapon. His wife Shamina and sister Shabnam Amjad Shaikh came with him, also brandishing weapons.

Both brothers tried to save themselves, but Mohsin sustained a deep injury on his stomach, dying on the spot. Junaid was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IX) Dr Mahesh Patil, the quarrel erupted over a petty issue: "We had arrested prime accused Imtiyaaz Memon alias Chor, his wife Shamina Memon and his sister Shabnam for playing vital role in the crime."

Sources from Malwani police station revealed that Memon is a well-known history-sheeter in the area and has been booked in many cases in the past. The deceased victim Mohsin too has a criminal background and had earlier been arrested along with his girlfriend Roshni in a murder case.

Mohsin's mother Husna believes the murder was pre-planned. She claimed that after Mohsin and his girlfriend parted ways, he started asking her for financial help, but Roshni threatened him. Mohsin had been attacked in August as well. She suggested that the girl may have had a hand to play in both the attacks.

DCP Dr Mahesh Patil ruled out about the possibility of premeditated murder on the basis of the fact that Memon had picked a fight with Junaid, and Mohsin had only come to his brother's rescue. All the accused were produced in court and send to police custody. u00a0