A murder convict, who was on the run for more than 17 years after escaping from the custody of Uttar Pradesh police and living in Delhi in guise of a 'tantrik', has been arrested, police said today.
64-year-old Umar Zahir Qadiri was arrested by the Crime Branch of Delhi police on Friday after it received a tip-off. He was found in possession of a loaded country-made pistol and one live cartridge.
"An input was received that Qadiri, convicted in a murder case and absconding from the custody of Uttar Pradesh Police, would be going to Bulandshahar from Anand Vihar ISBT between 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Friday.
Immediately, a trap was laid around ISBT gates and at about 6:20 PM, Qadiri was apprehended. On frisking, he was found in possession of a country-made pistol of .32 bore with one round in its chamber and one more live round was found in the pocket of his kurta," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav.
During police interrogation, he reportedly disclosed to police that as a 'tantrik', he used to mainly cheat gullible and illiterate women. He would ask them to bring endangered animals such as turtles or a non-poisonous two-headed snakes.
Then he would recite some incoherent words, claiming to be magical words. He would tell them to undertake certain rituals which would fulfill their wishes of getting a son or marriage of daughter or wealth, etc, police said.
"He also claims to have cure for sexual diseases such as leucorrhea, impotency, infertility etc. He gets some traditional ayurvedic medicines at cheap rates and charges heavily from his customers. He claims to have learnt this art from an old Hakeem of Khurja," said Yadav.
As per police, in 1978, Qadiri had picked up a quarrel with one pick-pocket namely Sagir in Bulandshahr. During the scuffle, he stabbed Sagir to death. On 23rd June, 1993, Qadiri was convicted for life term imprisonment by a court in Bulandshahr in the case. Later on, his appeal was rejected by Allahabad High Court in 1995, following which he surrendered to jail authorities to undergo the sentence.
"However, coming for a court hearing in another case on August 20, 1996, he gave a slip to the UP Police and fled from their custody," said Yadav.
