NEW DELHI: The prime accused in the murder of 21-year-old model Muskan allegedly took her iPhone after the killing, with police suspecting that he may have wanted to delete text messages and chats and erase his digital trail, sources said.Police are now examining the phone and other digital evidence to determine whether any messages or conversations were deleted after the murder.Investigators are also looking into Muskan’s interactions with people known to her as part of the probe into the motive.The development has emerged as investigators piece together Imran’s movements after the murder.Police said he allegedly fled the crime scene with Muskan’s phone and kept changing locations to evade arrest.According to police, Imran allegedly took Muskan’s iPhone after killing her.Investigators suspect that he may have intended to remove text messages, chats or other information that could have provided clues about the crime.The investigation is also focused on determining whether Imran had been in contact with Muskan shortly before the attack.Muskan’s family had earlier told police that she had allegedly been harassed by Imran for a long time. Police also suspect Imran was upset because he believed Muskan was speaking to another man.
Imran arrested after firing at police
The investigation took a dramatic turn on Thursday when a police team traced Imran to Rajouri Garden.DCP (West) Hareshwar Swami said a team spotted a suspicious person near the sub-registrar’s office and identified him as Imran.When police attempted to apprehend him, he allegedly opened fire at them.Police retaliated, triggering an exchange of fire in which Imran sustained bullet injuries to both legs. 11 rounds were fired during the encounter, with Imran allegedly firing four rounds and police firing seven.Three of the police rounds hit Imran in his knees. He was subsequently taken to hospital and remains under treatment.As Imran is hospitalised, investigators have not yet been able to question him about the source of the weapon or the motive behind Muskan’s murder.
Imran has previous criminal cases
Police inquiry has also revealed that Imran was booked under the POCSO Act in 2018 for allegedly sexually harassing a minor in Tilak Nagar.The case also invoked provisions related to voluntarily causing hurt, stalking, outraging the modesty of a woman, and common intention.Police said this was not his first criminal case. In 2021, he was also allegedly involved in a culpable homicide case.According to the complainant, Imran had allegedly attacked a man with a stone slab on the night of October 30, 2020. The man suffered serious head injuries, went into a coma and remained hospitalised for six days.A case was registered the following year on the court’s orders.
Police examine social media trail
Investigators are also examining Imran’s social media activity for possible clues.His Instagram profile contains posts related to gym workouts and cricket. Police have also come across a video uploaded from his account in 2019 in which a group of men can be seen sitting inside a room.In the video, one of the men is seen smoking before allegedly pulling out a pistol and firing three rounds into the air.Police are examining the account and other digital evidence to determine whether they can shed light on Imran’s background, associates or activities.
What happened to Muskan?
Muskan, 21, was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the abdomen inside her home in Delhi.The incident had prompted a heavy police deployment in the area as investigators launched a hunt for the accused.Police eventually arrested Imran following the encounter in Rajouri Garden.The investigation is now focused on establishing the sequence of events leading to the murder and whether the accused attempted to destroy or conceal digital evidence after the killing.
