Ghaziabad: A 22-year-old rag picker was allegedly chased and stabbed to death by his friend following a dispute over a Rs 20 loan outside his home in Shalimar Garden. The accused was arrested after an alleged exchange of fire with police early on Thursday.The victim Mushtaq Ali and the accused Sameer collected scrap in Delhi’s Seemapuri area before moving to Vikram Enclave Extension in Shalimar Garden, according to a complaint filed by Mushtaq’s family.Police said Mushtaq had borrowed Rs 20 from Sameer a few days earlier. Around 4 pm on Wednesday, Sameer allegedly went to Mushtaq’s house and demanded the money, saying he wanted to buy alcohol and was short of cash. An argument broke out when Mushtaq said he did not have the money, police said.Shalimar Garden ACP Atul Kumar Singh said Sameer allegedly abused Mushtaq before pulling out a knife and stabbing him in the stomach. When Mushtaq tried to flee, Sameer allegedly chased him, caught up with him and stabbed him several more times before escaping.Mushtaq’s family rushed him to GTB Hospital in Delhi, where he died during treatment.Police said they received information around 5 am on Thursday that Sameer was heading towards the DLF side of Wazirabad Road. Teams were deployed for checking and spotted him riding a KTM motorcycle. When signalled to stop, Sameer allegedly turned around and sped towards the nearby Telephone Exchange lane. Police chased him, and his motorcycle crashed into a heap of garbage, causing him to fall, the ACP said.“After falling, Sameer fired at the police team. Police retaliated, and he was shot in the left leg,” Singh said. The accused was arrested and taken to hospital. His condition was reported to be stable.Police have registered a case against Sameer under BNS sections 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder) and provisions of the Arms Act.
