Delhi Diwali double murder: Accused Amir arrested after Shastri Park encounter
Synopsis
A late-night police encounter near Shastri Park on 9 June 2025 led to the arrest of Amir, a key accused in the October 2024 Diwali double murder in Shahdara — where a property dealer and his teenage nephew were shot dead over a ₹70,000 debt, allegedly by a hitman with ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi–Hasim Baba criminal network.
Key Takeaways
Amir (alias Saleem/Tillan), 34 , arrested on 9 June 2025 after a gunshot injury sustained during a police encounter near Shastri Park Metro Depot .
He is a key accused in the 31 October 2024 Diwali double murder of property dealer Akash Sharma, 40 , and his 16-year-old nephew Rishabh Sharma in Shahdara .
Akash Sharma's 10-year-old son Krish was critically injured in the same attack.
Police say the motive was a ₹70,000 debt; a 17-year-old juvenile allegedly hired professional shooter Anil alias Sonu Matka to carry out the killings.
Amir reportedly has links with jailed gangster Hasim Baba and the broader Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network.
A key accused in the 2024 Delhi Diwali double murder case was arrested on Tuesday, 9 June 2025, after sustaining a gunshot injury during a late-night encounter with police near the Metro Depot in Shastri Park, north-east Delhi. The arrested man, identified as Amir — also known by the aliases Saleem and Tillan — is a 34-year-old resident of Vijay Park, Maujpur, and reportedly has links with jailed gangster Hasim Baba, according to police officials.
The Original Attack
The case traces back to 31 October 2024, when property dealer Akash Sharma, 40, and his 16-year-old nephew Rishabh Sharma were shot dead outside their residence in Bihari Colony under the Farsh Bazar area of Shahdara, while celebrating Diwali with family. Akash Sharma's 10-year-old son, Krish, was critically injured in the same attack. The entire sequence was recorded on CCTV cameras installed in the locality.
Investigators later established that two attackers had arrived on a scooter. One of the assailants reportedly touched Akash Sharma's feet as a diversionary tactic before both men allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the victims.
Motive and Key Accused
Police identified a monetary dispute as the primary motive. According to investigators, a 17-year-old juvenile — reportedly a distant relative and former associate of Akash Sharma — had lent him ₹70,000. When Sharma allegedly failed to repay the amount and stopped responding to calls, the juvenile is accused of arranging a professional shooter to carry out the attack.
The alleged shooter was identified as Anil alias Sonu Matka, a known criminal with a prior murder case and alleged involvement in a ₹1.5-crore robbery in Karol Bagh. Police claimed he maintained links with the Lawrence Bishnoi–Hasim Baba criminal network. The juvenile suspect was apprehended shortly after the murders.
The Shastri Park Encounter
The latest breakthrough came after police received a tip-off on Monday regarding Amir's whereabouts. A special team — comprising Inspector Man Singh, Inspector Sunder Gautam, Sub-Inspectors Manish and Bharat Singh, ASI Naresh, Head Constables Ramjas, Manoj, Ravish, Kapil and Sumit Yadav, Constables Sonu, Faizan, Deepak, and Woman Constable Indu — laid a trap near the Metro Depot in Shastri Park.
At around 10:48 pm on Monday night, the team intercepted the suspect. 'On seeing himself surrounded by a police party, the accused person wiped out his pistol and opened fire, targeting the police party. Then HC Manoj fired in self-defence, targeting the legs of the accused person,' police officials said. Amir sustained a gunshot injury to the leg and was subsequently overpowered and taken into custody.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are now probing Amir's alleged links with organised criminal networks and his specific role in the conspiracy. Police have formally arrested him and initiated legal proceedings. Investigators continue to question the accused as they gather additional evidence related to the case. The probe into the broader criminal network connected to the killings is ongoing.
Point of View
But the more disturbing detail is the motive: two people are dead and a child was critically wounded over a ₹70,000 dispute — a sum that underscores how organised criminal networks in Delhi are now available for hire at street-level grievances. The alleged involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi–Hasim Baba network, even in a localised property dispute, signals that gang infrastructure has permeated far beyond high-profile targets. Police have made arrests, but the pipeline that converts minor disputes into contract killings remains the real investigation.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amir and why was he arrested?
Amir, also known as Saleem and Tillan, is a 34-year-old Delhi resident arrested on 9 June 2025 as a key accused in the 2024 Diwali double murder case in Shahdara. He was apprehended after sustaining a gunshot injury during a police encounter near the Shastri Park Metro Depot.
What happened in the 2024 Delhi Diwali double murder?
On 31 October 2024, property dealer Akash Sharma, 40, and his 16-year-old nephew Rishabh Sharma were shot dead outside their home in Bihari Colony, Shahdara, during Diwali celebrations. Akash's 10-year-old son Krish was critically injured in the same attack, which was captured on CCTV.
What was the motive behind the Shahdara Diwali killings?
Police say the motive was a ₹70,000 monetary dispute. A 17-year-old juvenile, reportedly a distant relative of Akash Sharma, allegedly hired professional shooter Anil alias Sonu Matka after Sharma failed to repay the amount and stopped responding to calls.
What is Amir's alleged connection to organised crime?
According to police, Amir has links with jailed gangster Hasim Baba, who is associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network. Authorities are investigating his specific role in the conspiracy and his broader ties to organised crime.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have formally arrested Amir and initiated legal proceedings. Investigators are continuing to question him and gather additional evidence. The juvenile suspect was apprehended earlier, and alleged shooter Anil alias Sonu Matka had also been identified during the probe.
