GHAZIABAD: A 38-year-old man allegedly shot dead his wife and her close friend at their home in Tronica City’s Rampark Colony, in a case that police say was driven by suspicions of an extramarital affair and a looming separation.
According to investigators, the accused, identified as Rashid, had invited the man — Faheem (32), a long-time colleague at his furniture shop — over for dinner on Monday evening. The three reportedly ate together and later smoked before an argument broke out late at night, escalating into violence.
Police said the couple’s seven-year-old son witnessed the killings. Though his formal statement is yet to be recorded, officials said the child told them that his father retrieved a firearm from an almirah in the bedroom around midnight. Rashid allegedly shot Faheem first and then turned the weapon on his wife, Shabnam (36).
After the shooting, Rashid is said to have told his son, “ab sab thik ho jayega” (now everything will be fine), before fleeing the house.
An FIR has been registered under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on a complaint by Faheem’s father. Police teams have launched a manhunt and are conducting raids to trace the accused. Efforts are also underway to recover the weapon and determine how Rashid obtained it, which investigators say could establish whether the crime was premeditated.
DCP (rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari said both victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head, likely fired from close range. They were rushed to a hospital by neighbours but were declared dead on arrival. Postmortem reports are awaited.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Shabnam and Faheem had been in a relationship for over two years. The couple, who had been married for several years and had seven children aged between 1.5 and 20, had reportedly been facing increasing domestic tensions in recent months. Police said Rashid became aware of the alleged affair around the time of their eldest son’s wedding six months ago and had objected to it, but disputes continued.
About a week before the incident, Rashid and Faheem were involved in a confrontation over the matter, officers said. On Monday night, believing his children had gone to bed, Rashid allegedly confronted the two again after dinner.
Loni ACP Siddharth Gautam said the accused had already hidden a pistol inside the house. The youngest child, who had been watching television, entered the room after hearing raised voices and witnessed the shooting.
Investigators are also examining another possible motive. According to a senior officer, Shabnam had expressed a desire for divorce and intended to sell the house, which was registered in her name — a development that may have further escalated tensions.
Police said both Rashid and Faheem had prior criminal records. Faheem had been booked in multiple cases, including attempt to murder, theft, and violations of the Arms Act, while Rashid had previously been arrested in a theft case in 2023.
The accused remains absconding.
