UP: 10 convicted in murder of Sunil, Puneet & Sudhir after 16 years; Ijlal Qureshi’s crime fueled by affair with Sheeba

In the 2008 Meerut triple murder case, the court has declared Ijlal, the primary accused, guilty. Alongside Ijlal, ten others, including his girlfriend, Sheeba Sirohi, have also been convicted. The case, which has been under judicial scrutiny for 16 years, reached its verdict on August 1, 2024.

Sentencing for the accused will be delivered on August 5. Ijlal, who had been out on bail, will now face imprisonment. The court has also held Sheeba Sirohi responsible, as the crime was linked to her involvement with Ijlal.

Case Background

The case dates back to May 23, 2008, when Ijlal, a prominent businessman from Meerut with interests in meat processing and cold storage, was romantically involved with Sheeba Sirohi. Ijlal belonged to an influential family, whereas Sheeba came from a more modest background. Despite being in a relationship, Sheeba’s family had arranged her marriage to an army officer, a union she could not sustain, leading her to return to Meerut.

Ijlal, who was financially supportive of Sheeba, grew suspicious of her interactions with another man, Sudhir. Sudhir was a known associate of Ijlal, and his relationship with Sheeba provoked Ijlal, leading him to plan Sudhir’s murder.

The Crime

On the night of May 23, 2008, Ijlal invited Sudhir to a house in Guddari Bazar, Meerut. Sudhir arrived with two companions, Puneet Giri and Sunil Dhaka. Once inside, Ijlal, after getting them intoxicated, launched a brutal attack. He beat the three men to death, gouged out their eyes, and mutilated their bodies with a meat cleaver.

After the murders, Ijlal attempted to clean the crime scene but failed, as blood seeped onto the streets, alerting local residents. To dispose of the bodies, Ijlal organised a convoy of vehicles, including one with a red light. The bodies were transported to the banks of the Hindon River in Baghpat.

Discovery and Arrest

The vehicle ran out of fuel, forcing Ijlal to abandon it and leave the bodies behind. The families of the victims, who had initiated a search, discovered the bodies, leading to the revelation of the crime. The case also sparked religious tensions due to the victims being Hindu and the accused being Muslim. The police apprehended Ijlal in Baghpat.

Ijlal had been out on bail for some time but has now been convicted. The court’s decision on August 1 found Ijlal, Sheeba Sirohi, Afzal, Waseem, Rizwan, Badaruddin, Maharaj, Izhaar, and Abdul Rahman guilty. Additionally, a witness in the case was also attacked.

Future Proceedings

Sentencing for the convicted individuals is scheduled for August 5, 2024. The case continues to be a focal point of legal and social scrutiny, reflecting the complex interplay of personal vendettas and severe criminal actions.