Rajkot: Morbi police arrested a father-son duo and others, for allegedly murdering a 35-year-old labourer who was suspected of informing police about their illegal liquor activities. The victim, Hanif Bhatti, was attacked with a sharp weapon and shot dead at his residence in the Maftiyapara area of Morbi on June 21.The accused arrested in the case include Faruk Bhatti, uncle of the deceased; his son Riyaz Bhatti, Sameer Pirzada, Nazim Diwan and others. The arrests were made shortly after the murder through a combination of human intelligence and technical surveillance, police said.The case was registered after Hanif’s younger brother, Irfan Bhatti, filed a complaint with Morbi City B Division Police Station under Sections 103(1) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.According to the complaint, Hanif worked as a labourer in Morbi. Early on Sunday morning, relatives were informed that Hanif was attacked. Family members who rushed to his room found him lying dead in a pool of blood. He had sustained multiple injuries from a sharp weapon, while evidence at the scene also indicated that a firearm was also used.The complainant alleged that Faruk Bhatti was involved in the illegal trade of foreign liquor and that Hanif was passing on information about these activities to the police. This had allegedly led to repeated disputes between the uncle and nephew. Nursing a grudge over the matter, the accused allegedly conspired and carried out the murder.Investigating officer J D Sarvaiya said police launched an immediate probe after the crime came to light and succeeded in tracking down the accused within hours. Preliminary investigation revealed that Faruk Bhatti has a criminal history, with cases registered in Morbi and Surendranagar districts under the Prohibition Act, Arms Act and for attempted murder.Police also found that Faruk, Riyaz, Sameer and Nazim were previously named in a 2025 attempted murder and Arms Act case registered at Joravarnagar police station in Surendranagar district. Nazim Diwan was also previously booked under the Prohibition Act at Thangadh police station.Further investigation into the murder was underway.
