Delhi Model Killing: Accused Held After Late-Night Police Encounter

A 21-year-old Delhi University student and part-time model was allegedly stabbed to death inside her home in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar on August 26, and the man police suspect of killing her has now been arrested after an exchange of fire in Rajouri Garden.

The victim was identified as Muskan Sharma. Police said the prime suspect, identified as Aqib alias Imran, 26, was tracked to Rajouri Garden late Thursday night and arrested after he allegedly opened fire at a police team.

Imran sustained three bullet injuries to his legs during the exchange and was taken to hospital, where he remained under treatment in custody, according to police. The Delhi Police said formal interrogation would take place after he is medically fit.

The arrest came after a day-long search for the suspect, who had allegedly fled Muskan’s home following the stabbing.

What happened at Muskan’s home

Police said Muskan was alone at her residence in the New Mahavir Nagar area of Tilak Nagar when Imran allegedly arrived on the evening of August 26.

CCTV footage reportedly showed the suspect entering the building at about 5:40 p.m. A police officer told The Indian Express that investigators believe the two got into a heated argument. Police allege that Imran strangled Muskan before stabbing her multiple times in the abdomen with a knife and then fled with her phone.

Those details remain part of the police investigation and have not been tested in court.

A police control-room call about the stabbing was received at the Tilak Nagar police station at about 7:24 p.m., Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Hareshwar V Swami said, according to PTI reporting carried by Moneycontrol. A domestic worker found Muskan injured inside the second-floor home and alerted her family. She was taken to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Muskan was a second-year student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning and also worked as a part-time model and content creator, according to multiple reports.

Police encounter leads to arrest

After the killing, police formed more than 15 teams to locate Imran, according to reports. Investigators used CCTV footage and information about his movements to trace him to Rajouri Garden.

DCP Swami said police attempted to apprehend Imran near Nala Road after receiving information that he would be in the area.

According to the DCP, Imran fired four rounds at the police team. Police responded with seven rounds, three of which struck him in the legs. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to hospital.

Police have said they will investigate where the firearm came from and question Imran once he is medically fit.

Relationship and harassment allegations under investigation

The investigation has also begun examining the history between Muskan and Imran.

Police said the two had known each other for about a year and a half. Imran had previously worked as a trainer at the gym Muskan attended, although he was no longer working there.

Reports citing police sources and people connected to the case say Muskan had complained about being harassed by Imran in July. Police subsequently sent him to a drug de-addiction centre, according to reports. Her family, however, did not file a formal complaint at that time, according to police accounts carried by several outlets.

Police are also examining an August 20 meeting between Muskan and Imran at a hotel.

Investigators suspect that Imran had become angry over Muskan’s interactions with another man. That is currently being treated as a possible motive rather than a fact. Police have said they need to question Imran and examine the evidence before determining why the killing took place.

There are also conflicting descriptions of the pair’s relationship. Some police accounts describe them as having been in a relationship, while Muskan’s family has disputed that characterization, according to The Times of India.

Earlier criminal case

Police have also said Imran was previously involved in a 2021 case involving assault and culpable homicide. That allegation is separate from the current murder case and does not by itself establish guilt in Muskan’s death.

The immediate investigation is focused on reconstructing what happened inside Muskan’s home, establishing the circumstances surrounding the August 20 meeting and determining the motive for the killing.

For now, Imran is an accused in the case, not a convicted offender. Police questioning is expected to provide further details once his medical treatment allows investigators to formally interrogate him.

The investigation remains ongoing.