GTB Murder Case: Kin Mistakenly Shoots Dentist Instead of History-Sheeter, Suspect Delhi Police

New Delhi: Delhi Police, on Monday, claimed that the killing of the patient inside Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital could be a case of mistaken identity. Cops said the kin allegedly shot a patient named Riyazuddin instead of the actual target Wasim as the latter was shifted from the same ward only a day before the incident occurred. The family members of the deceased also claimed that the criminal was the original target of the shooter.

Several Teams Formed To Probe Murder

Several police teams have been formed to investigate the murder of the 32-year-old Riyazuddin who was allegedly shot dead by a teenager inside ward number 24 in GTB hospital on Sunday.

Resident Doctors Go On Indefinite Strike

After the shocking murder, resident doctors of the hospital on Monday sat on an indefinite strike raising serious concerns about their safety. Multiple teams of the crime branch, a team led by the SHO of GTB Enclave police station, and a team comprising personnel of adjoining police stations are investigating the case. "The teams are checking CCTV footage to know how many people were involved, how many entered the hospital, which vehicle they used, the trail of the vehicle and where they fled after the crime. We are looking at all possible angles," a senior police officer said. "The police will nab the accused very soon," the officer added.

Victim Was A Dentist With No Criminal Background

The victim, who was said to be a dentist, had been admitted to the hospital on June 23 and was undergoing treatment for an abdominal infection, according to police.

Case of Mistaken Identity?

The police said the murder could be a case of mistaken identity as a criminal of the city's Welcome area was also being treated in ward number 24, but was shifted to another ward a day before the incident. They added that they had checked the records of Riyazuddin, a resident of the Khajuri Khas area, and no criminal background was found against him.

"If it was a case of mistaken identity, we are investigating that angle and can only confirm with the arrest of the accused. Teams have activated their local sources to gather information about the accused and nab them immediately," the police officer said.

Police departments of neighbouring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have also been asked to monitor CCTV footage so that the accused can be caught if they attempt to cross the border, the officer added.

Wasim Classified As 'Bad Character'

The Delhi Police are waiting for Wasim to fully recover to proceed with their investigation. According to police reports, has a criminal record with close to 17 cases of crimes including snatching and burglary and was classified as a BC (Bad Character).

(with PTI inputs)