Land dispute led to gunfire, Ismail's killing: police

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad police, who have launched a manhunt for the killers of realtor Ismail, have ascertained that the murder was the fallout of a dispute over a real estate deal. City-based real-estate businessman Ismail was shot at by his rival Jeelani and his accomplices in the upmarket Madhapur area in the wee hours of Monday. Ismail died while receiving treatment even as his aide Jahangir sustained bullet wounds in the incident.

Sandeep Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Balanagar, gave details of the preliminary investigation into the case at a press conference here. According to him, the gunfire took place at the Neeru's Junction under the Madhapur police limits. Ismail was shot at by Jeelani while the former was engaged in a conversation with Mohammed Mujahid.

Ismail and Mujahid, who, the police have identified as doing real estate ventures in Sangareddy, have a long-standing dispute between them over a land deal. The two had been holding discussions over the issue since Sunday evening. They visited Masab Tank, Panjagutta and Jubilee Hills while grappling with the dispute before returning to Madhapur post midnight.

The DCP said that their discussions went on for another two and a half hours before Jeelani opened fire from a very close range at Ismail at around 4 am. The police were able to establish that Jeelani was the first to open fire from a country-made weapon and in all fired three rounds at Ismail and Jahangir.

The DCP said that it was not yet ascertained if the gunfire incident was a part of a pre-meditated plan to eliminate Ismail or it happened due to heated argument. There were four persons in Ismail's vehicle while two persons were accompanying the accused in his vehicle.

The police have also found out that Jeelani had previous criminal history having been involved in a few cases. Four teams have been formed to apprehend the two accused who are at large.