Transport businessman shot dead at Morbi home

Rajkot: A 45-year-old transport businessman was gunned down at his residence in Maliya Miyana of Morbi district on Monday evening, with police probing an alleged business feud as the motive behind the murder.

The victim, Haider Movar, was shot around 7.30pm while sitting in the courtyard of his house. According to police, the killing unfolded in front of family members, sending a shockwave through the locality.

After the shooting, Haider’s wife, Saina Movar, 26, lodged an FIR at Maliya Miyana police station against a pair of brothers, Ilyas Movar and Shafir Movar, along with four unidentified persons, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

In her FIR, Saina stated that family members were at home when the attack took place. Haider was seated on a chair in the open area outside the house when a car pulled up at the residence. She alleged that Shafir arrived with several unidentified men. Moments later, he allegedly pulled out a firearm from the vehicle and shot Haider at close range.

The gunshots drew family members into the courtyard, but by then the assailants had fled in the car. Haider, grievously injured, was rushed to a private hospital in Morbi, where doctors declared him dead.

Investigating officer Rakesh Kumar Patel said preliminary findings point towards a long-running dispute linked to business dealings. According to police, Haider had been at loggerheads with Shafir and his elder brother Ilyas for nearly two years, with tensions between the parties escalating through repeated confrontations and altercations.

In her statement, Saina alleged that the attack was carried out by Shafir and the others at Ilyas’s behest. Police are examining the claims and collecting evidence to establish the sequence of events and motive behind the murder.

Investigators said Haider is survived by five children. Police said he had married Saina in 2022 and she was his second. Police have launched a manhunt for the accused and are tracking leads through technical surveillance and human intelligence inputs.

Police have launched a manhunt for the accused and are tracking leads through technical surveillance and human intelligence inputs.