A father in Uttar Pradesh has questioned police action after his two sons, identified as prime suspects in the stabbing attack on businessman and YouTuber Saleem Wastik, were killed in separate police encounters within 48 hours in Ghaziabad.
While police say the brothers opened fire during attempts to arrest them, prompting retaliatory action, their father has argued that even if they were guilty, they should have been produced in court and tried through the legal system. The incident has once again sparked debate about encounter killings and the balance between swift policing and due process.
Two brothers, Zeeshan (22) and Gulfam (35), suspected of attacking businessman and YouTuber Saleem Wastik in Ghaziabad, were killed in separate police encounters on March 1 and March 3. According to Uttar Pradesh Police, the suspects allegedly fired at officers while attempting to evade arrest during search operations, leading the police to retaliate.
Their father, Buniyad Ali, however, has criticised the action, stating that even if his sons had committed a crime, they should have been arrested and produced in court instead of being shot. The development comes days after Wastik was stabbed multiple times at his office in Ghaziabad, an incident that triggered a large-scale manhunt by the police.
Attack On YouTuber Triggered Manhunt
The case began when Saleem Wastik, a businessman and YouTuber known for his online presence, was attacked with a knife inside his office in Loni, Ghaziabad. According to police, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and carried out the assault before fleeing the scene.
Wastik sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he received medical treatment. The violent attack prompted police to register a case of attempted murder and form several teams to identify and arrest the suspects.
During the investigation, authorities examined CCTV footage and other evidence from the area, which allegedly helped identify the attackers as two brothers from Amroha district. Police also analysed their digital footprints and social media activity to understand the motive behind the attack. Officials said the suspects had allegedly planned the assault together, with one riding the motorcycle while the other carried out the stabbing.
Two Separate Encounters Within 48 Hours
Police said the first encounter took place on March 1 in Ghaziabad’s Loni area when officers attempted to arrest Zeeshan. According to officials, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the police team during the operation, injuring two head constables. In the exchange of fire that followed, he was shot and later died from his injuries.
Less than two days later, on March 3, his brother Gulfam was also killed in another encounter in the Vasundhara area of Ghaziabad. Police stated that Gulfam too attempted to flee and fired at the police team, after which officers retaliated.
The deaths of the two suspects effectively ended the immediate manhunt in the case, though the incident has raised questions among residents and observers about the circumstances of the encounters. Meanwhile, in their hometown of Amroha, family members expressed shock over the developments. Their father said he was unaware of any plan by his sons to attack the YouTuber and insisted that if they had indeed committed a crime, they should have been allowed to face the judicial process.
Father Calls For Trial Instead Of ‘Encounter Justice’
Speaking to reporters, Buniyad Ali said that while he does not defend any wrongdoing, he believes the police should have allowed the law to take its course. “If my sons committed a crime, they should have been arrested and taken to court. The court would have decided their punishment,” he said.
His statement has revived the long-standing debate around encounter killings in India. While supporters argue that such actions demonstrate strong policing and help deter crime, critics say they risk bypassing the legal process and undermine the principle that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Calls for transparency and independent investigations often follow such incidents to ensure accountability and public trust.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Incidents like these highlight the difficult balance between maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law. While society rightly expects swift action against violent crime, justice must ultimately be delivered through transparent and lawful processes. The strength of a democratic system lies in its commitment to due process, fairness, and accountability, even when dealing with those accused of serious offences.
When suspects die before facing trial, crucial questions about motives, responsibility, and justice often remain unanswered. Ensuring that law enforcement actions remain within the framework of the law is essential for maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
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