Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested 29-year-old Shadiq Jawar, nephew of slain gangster Shadiq Kalia, along with his 22-year-old accomplice Naushad Mithani, for the brutal murder of 78-year-old Iqbal Ibrahim Celia in Mumbai's Nagpada area on April 20, 2025. Police allege the killing was an act of revenge, rooted in the belief that Celia had tipped off encounter specialist Daya Nayak about Kalia's location, leading to the gangster's death in a police encounter in November 1999 — nearly 27 years ago. The case stands as a chilling reminder that the shadows of Mumbai's underworld can stretch across decades.

The Murder at Nagpada

On the evening of April 20, 2025, the accused allegedly entered Celia's residence in Nagpada when other family members were absent. They fatally attacked the elderly man using sharp-edged weapons, inflicting more than 20 injuries on his body.

When Celia's wife and son returned home, they discovered him lying in a pool of blood. The horrific scene triggered an immediate police response, with the Mumbai Crime Branch launching a full-scale investigation.

CCTV Evidence and Fugitive Trail

Following the murder, the accused fled the scene. However, CCTV footage proved crucial in tracking their movements. Investigators traced their route through Antop Hill and Vidyavihar to Kalyan, before the duo escaped to Nagpur.

Using a combination of technical surveillance and physical evidence, police teams successfully located and apprehended both Jawar and Mithani in Nagpur. During questioning, both accused allegedly confessed to their roles in the crime.

The 1999 Encounter and the Roots of Revenge

Shadiq Kalia was once a street vendor in Mumbai's Kalachowki area before entering the underworld and aligning himself with the gang of notorious don Chhota Shakeel. He was killed in a police encounter in November 1999, during a targeted operation led by encounter specialist Daya Nayak.

Police records reveal that Jawar was merely two years old when his uncle was killed. Yet, investigators allege he grew up nursing a deep desire for revenge, eventually plotting and executing the murder of the man he held responsible for his uncle's death — more than a quarter century later.

Broader Context: Mumbai's Encounter Era Under Scrutiny

This case resurfaces one of Mumbai's most controversial chapters — the encounter killings of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when police officers like Daya Nayak were celebrated for eliminating underworld operatives but later faced serious legal scrutiny. Daya Nayak himself has been the subject of multiple inquiries over the years, with critics questioning the legitimacy of several encounters attributed to him.

This comes amid a broader national conversation about extrajudicial killings, informant protection, and the long-term social fallout of the encounter era. The murder of Iqbal Celia — if the allegations are proven — underscores a deeply troubling reality: individuals who cooperated with law enforcement during that volatile period may have been left vulnerable, with no formal protection mechanisms in place.

Notably, Mumbai has witnessed several cold cases from the underworld era resurfacing in recent years, reflecting both the persistence of gang loyalties and the failure of the state to fully dismantle criminal networks that flourished in the 1990s.

Investigation Ongoing

The Mumbai Crime Branch has confirmed that further investigation into the case is underway. Authorities are expected to examine whether the murder was carried out solely by the two arrested individuals or whether a larger network was involved in planning the assassination.

The case is likely to draw significant attention given its connection to the Chhota Shakeel gang, Daya Nayak's encounter legacy, and the question of how the state protects those who assist law enforcement — a policy gap that this tragedy has thrown into sharp relief.