Lawyer’s Murder: Neighbours say ‘honesty’ killed Khan

Neighbours of M.M. Khan, the slain legal officer of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, still recount his helpful nature and honesty that took his life, leaving his family in tears. He was a popular person who offered both general and legal advice to whoever came to him.

On Wednesday, the owner of The Connaught Hotel, Ramesh Kakkar, was arrested along with six others for the murder of Mr Khan, who was shot dead on Monday on his way home.

“My uncle was honest, he refused to accept a Rs 3 crore bribe to hush up a Rs 140-crore dispute in favour of a hotelier. He was adamant to take legal action against the hotelier. He even got threat calls from owner of the hotel, but he was firm with in decision,” said a close relative of Khan.

The Khan family lives in a small apartment in Jamia Nagar. For the last two days, relatives and neighbours have been visiting the flat to console his widow and three daughters.

“Mr Khan and his family have paid the biggest price for honesty. He remained firm with his clear image and never compromised with the corrupt. He is a hero, who laid his life for his principles. His murderers should get toughest punishment to set example for others,” said Akram Khan, a neighbour of the victim.

However, a fortnight ago a letter written by NDMC vice-chairman Karan Singh Tanwar to lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung, accused Khan of being “unjust, illegal and totally biased” in his approach towards the Connaught Hotel.

When this newspaper approached Mr Tanwar about the letter he had written to Mr Jung, he said he had only presented grievances of some people from the hotel who approached him with the complaint against Khan. “I only asked for an independent inquiry and the deputation of another estate officer to ensure a fair inquiry,” Mr Tanwar said.

On Wednesday night, the last accused in the case, Bilal, was arrested from Jamia Nagar. He was the driving the motorcycle as the pillion rider shot Khan. “We have also recovered the weapon used in the crime,” said a senior police officer.