The Charkop police have cracked the murder case of 65-year-old foundry owner Ayub Sayyed, revealing it to be a contract killing orchestrated by his business partner Shanu Chaudhary and younger son Hamid Sayyed. The conspiracy came to light after the arrest of accused Mohammad Khairul Islam, who was caught on CCTV talking on the phone moments after committing the crime, helping investigators connect the dots. The police also revealed that plan to kill Ayub was finalised a month ago.
According to investigators, the plan was made by Shanu and Hamid. Shanu had invested nearly Rs 1.17 crore in partnership with Ayub but was repeatedly shown losses in the business. Whenever he demanded his money back, Ayub allegedly abused him.
On the other hand, Ayub’s younger son Hamid was upset with his father for transferring major properties and a factory in Vasai in the name of his elder brother, while leaving him with only one house in Evershine Nagar through a gift deed. Despite Ayub’s vast empire worth hundreds of crores, Hamid often struggled financially and was frequently humiliated by his father. Frustrated, Hamid urged Shanu to “get rid of” Ayub, promising him a partnership in the business afterwards.
Shanu, already distressed by repeated losses and Ayub’s demands for money — including a recent one for R8 lakh under the pretext of machinery repairs — agreed. He then contacted Mohammad Khairul Islam, a known criminal, and finalised a contract killing for R6.5 lakh. Khairul roped in his associate Shahnawaz, who has a history of carrying out contract murders, including the killing of a child in Govandi. About a week before the murder, Shanu paid Khairul R1 lakh in advance, with the balance to be paid after the crime.
Police investigations revealed crucial CCTV footage showing Khairul having a phone conversation with absconding co-accused Shahnawaz, moments after the murder. Further analysis of call records showed that Khairul had called Shanu to confirm the killing. Though Shanu and Hamid were seen at the crime scene, pretending ignorance of the incident, evidence from CCTV and call records exposed their involvement.
During interrogation, Shanu confessed, implicating Hamid as a co-conspirator. Hamid also admitted to the crime. Based on their disclosures, the police arrested Khairul, who revealed the entire murder plot during questioning.
Investigators said Ayub, who had come to Mumbai at a young age and built a vast fortune in the scrap trade, was known for his aggressive nature. Workers, partners, and even family members often complained about his ill-tempered and humiliating behaviour.
