A 54-year-old social activist and former Muslim, Salim Wastik, also known as Salim Ahmed or Salim Khan, was arrested by the ARSC Crime Branch of Delhi Police in connection with a 31-year-old kidnapping for ransom and murder case. The arrest took place in Loni, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, where the accused was apprehended.
The case dates back to January 20, 1995, when a 13-year-old boy named Sandeep Bansal went missing after leaving for school in North East Delhi. His family received ransom demands following his disappearance, leading to a police investigation. Salim Khan, who worked as a martial arts instructor at the victim’s school, was suspected and later detained.
Salim Khan’s disclosure during interrogation led the police to the victim’s body near Mustafabad. Further investigation identified another accused, Anil, who surrendered before the court. Both accused were convicted in 1997 and sentenced to life imprisonment, with Salim later absconding and changing his identity over the years.
Police efforts, including a tip-off and verification of old records, led to the recent arrest of Salim Wastik in Ghaziabad. He admitted to living under a false identity and working various jobs to avoid detection. The accused had also received an advance payment for a film project based on his life, currently under verification.
