Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Jun 27: Fatorda police on Friday arrested a man who had been absconding for nearly six months in connection with the murder of Ali Kalandar Khanzade, the vice-president of the Sunni Gulistan Mosque at Gogol.

The accused, identified as 47-year-old Sabir Khan Ustad, was traced to the Gogol Housing Board Colony and taken into custody after evading arrest since the January killing.

Khanzade was stabbed to death on January 30 shortly after Friday prayers following an alleged dispute over the control of the mosque management committee. The broad daylight murder had triggered tension in the area, prompting the district administration to temporarily seal the mosque to prevent any law and order issues.

During the course of the investigation, police had earlier arrested the alleged mastermind, Akram Khan, along with Alam Sayyad, Latif Sayyad, Ubedulla Makandar, Sakruddin Shaikh, Husain Khan, Nizamuddin Sayyad and Sahil Kanvi, also known as Spaki. Another accused, Altaf Shah Sayyad, was arrested subsequently.

With Sabir Khan Ustad's arrest, police have now apprehended all the accused named in the case.

Officials said Akram Khan and Sahil Kanvi remain in judicial custody, while the remaining accused have been granted bail. Further legal proceedings in the case are underway.