GHAZIABAD: A late-night argument inside a house in Tronica City’s Rampark Colony ended in a brutal double murder, with a 38-year-old man allegedly shooting dead his wife and a close friend after confronting them over an alleged relationship.Police said the accused, Rashid, had invited his friend and colleague Faheem (32) over for dinner on Monday evening. The three reportedly spent hours together eating and smoking before tensions escalated close to midnight.7-year-old eyewitness, hidden gunAccording to investigators, Rashid confronted the two over their alleged two-year-long affair, triggering a heated exchange. During the argument, he allegedly pulled out a pistol kept inside an almirah and opened fire.The couple’s seven-year-old son, who was in another room, reportedly entered after hearing raised voices and witnessed the shooting. Police said the child indicated that his father first shot Faheem in the head and then turned the gun on his wife, Shabnam (36).After the incident, Rashid allegedly told the child, “now everything will be fine,” and fled the house.Neighbours rushed the victims to a hospital, where both were declared dead. Police suspect the shots were fired from close range. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and reports are awaited.An FIR has been registered based on a complaint by Faheem’s father, and police teams are conducting raids to trace the accused. Efforts are also underway to recover the weapon and determine whether the crime was pre-planned.The couple, police said, were married for several years and had seven children, aged 1.5 to 20.Divorce plan, past disputes Initial investigation suggests that Shabnam and Faheem had been in a relationship for over two years, leading to frequent disputes at home. Tensions in the household had escalated in recent months, particularly after Rashid learned of the alleged affair around the time of their eldest son’s wedding six months ago. Officers said Rashid had objected to the relationship and asked his wife to end it, but the dispute persisted.Officials added that Shabnam had been considering divorce and was planning to sell the house, which was in her name — a factor that may have further escalated the conflict.About a week before the incident, Rashid and Faheem were involved in a confrontation over the issue. Investigators believe the dinner invitation may have been a planned meeting to confront both, which ultimately turned violent.Police also found that both Rashid and Faheem had prior criminal records, including cases of theft, attempt to murder and violations of the Arms Act.With the accused still on the run and a minor as the key eyewitness, police said efforts are focused on locating Rashid and reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the killings.
