21-year-old fashion content creator and model Muskaan Sharma was murdered by her lover in Tilak Nagar area of Delhi. A day after the incident, initial police investigation revealed tension in their relationship due to constant disputes, harassment and allegations of infidelity. Police arrested the accused, 28-year-old Imran, after an encounter in the early hours of Friday. The investigation has also revealed the old criminal records of the accused and information about getting treatment in a de-addiction center.
According to the police, this incident took place on Wednesday evening in a house located in Old Mahavir Nagar, where Muskaan was alone at that time. It is alleged that there was an altercation with Imran who had come to meet him, after which he first strangled him and then stabbed him thrice with a knife in the chest and stomach. After about an hour, the maid saw Muskaan in a pool of blood. The police are now trying to find out whether the murder was the result of a sudden dispute or it was planned in advance.
Who was Muskaan Sharma?
Police have identified the deceased as Muskaan Sharma. She was a fashion content creator and model and worked with bridal-wear brands and makeup artists on photoshoots and promotional campaigns. Muskaan was also pursuing her graduation from the School of Open Learning of Delhi University. His family consists of his mother, two elder sisters and a younger brother. According to family members, Muskaan started earning well by working at an early age and dreamed of giving a better life to her family.
When did the incident happen?
According to the police, the incident happened at around 6 pm on Wednesday evening in a house located in Old Mahavir Nagar. Muskaan was alone at home at that time. During this time Imran came to meet him. There was a dispute between the two over some issue and the matter turned violent. Police alleges that Imran first strangled Muskaan and then stabbed her three times on her chest and stomach with a knife. After Muskaan's brother's statement, the police searched the footage of CCTV cameras installed nearby. In the footage, a man was seen entering the building at around 5.40 pm and exiting at around 6.05 pm.
During investigation, the police identified him as 28-year-old Imran, resident of Khayala. DCP (West) Hareshwar V Swamy said, “During interrogation, the victim's brother told the police that his sister knew a person living in the nearby area. The brother suspects that he has committed the crime.”
How long did you know each other?
According to investigation, Muskaan and Imran knew each other for about two years and were in a relationship for about one and a half years. Both of them met through the gym, where Imran used to work earlier. A gym employee told that Imran had joined the gym around March-April this year. According to the employee, after some time Muskaan also started coming there and the people present in the gym were aware of their relationship.
Did Imran take drugs?
The investigation has also revealed that Imran was struggling with drug addiction. According to the gym employee, they came to know about his drug addiction about two months ago. The employee said, “She tried to commit suicide, after which her landlord and Delhi Police called us. After that we let her go. At the same time she also left.” According to a police officer, about four months ago Imran had gone to the de-addiction center for treatment. He went there again this month, but returned after a few days.
What did you get from mobile chat?
Police have also taken Muskaan's mobile phone into their custody for investigation. According to an official, the chats recovered from the phone indicate tension in the relationship between the two. The officer said, “Chats recovered from the victim's phone reveal that the relationship between the two was strained. He used to harass her and accuse her of infidelity. It appears to be a planned murder.”
What happened last month?
According to the police, Muskaan and her family had also filed a complaint against Imran last month. According to officials, at that time the accused had gone to the de-addiction center for treatment and Muskaan did not press for further action in the case. Now the police is also investigating what allegations were made in the previous complaint and how the case was handled at that time.
Is a case already registered against Imran?
During the investigation, the police also came to know that a case was registered against Imran in the year 2021 under section 308 of the Indian Penal Code. This section deals with attempt to commit culpable homicide. According to the police, Imran was arrested in this case and later he was released.
What allegations did the family make?
Muskaan's uncle alleged that she wanted to separate from Imran for the last two months, but the accused was continuously harassing her. Her uncle said, “They were together at one time, but she did not want to be with him. She was shy and we found out very late, but he was torturing and emotionally blackmailing her.”