A man was murdered in Mahim by five persons, including a woman, who attacked the victim with a knife and rods on Friday evening over an alleged staredown, police said. The police identified the deceased as Mahim resident Asif Akhtar, 40.

The five accused of murdering Akhtar have been identified as Mohiddudin Kirkire (54), Mujamir Kirkire (20), Gulam Kirkire (69), Gulam’s wife Bilkis Kirkire (60) and Javed Kirkire (50). All the persons belong to the same family and also reside in Mahim. They were arrested late on Friday night.

Akhtar was walking alone in Lohar chawl when he spotted two accused across the road near Mahim Dargah. According to the police, around 6.25 pm, Akhtar was confronted by Mohiddudin and Mujamir over “angry looks” Akhtar allegedly gave them.

“Mujamir was the first to attack Akhtar and pushed him to the ground. The rest of his family joined in and attacked Akhtar with bamboo sticks and metal rods. We still don’t know which family member it was, but one of them drew a knife and stabbed Akhtar on the right side of his neck,” said a police officer attached with Mahim police.

Police denied the incident to be premeditated and claim the entire family fled after Akhtar started to bleed profusely. The incident occurred less than a kilometer from Mahim police station on a crowded stretch near Mahim Dargah around peak evening traffic.

Akhtar was rushed to Bandra’s Babha hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

“We inquired with Akhtar’s family and spoke with eyewitnesses. Their statements led us to the Kirkire family,” said an officer.

Police said preliminary probe reveals that Akhtar’s family and Kirkires have been bitter rivals having had several personal disputes in the past but never one that escalated to violence.

About three hours after the murder, the Kirkires were picked up from several locations. Mujamir, who was being treated for injuries in his abdomen at a local hospital was the first to be arrested, officers claimed.

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