The Ghatkopar Police have unravelled the mystery behind the death of 65-year-old Shehnaz (also known as Shahzād) Kazi, whose body was discovered in her Ghatkopar West apartment earlier this week. The victim’s step-daughter-in-law, Mumtaz, has been arrested after investigators linked her to the crime through CCTV evidence and witness accounts.

Discovery of the Body

Shehnaz’s neighbours raised an alarm when her sister was unable to reach her by phone. Yemen, a neighbour’s daughter, went to check on her. With the help of residents who possessed a spare key, she opened the flat. The fan was running but the room was dark. Once lights were switched on, Shehnaz was found near the kitchen doorway, lying in a pool of blood, with injuries visible on her head and upper body. Police transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Family Structure and Ongoing Disputes

Police inquiries revealed a complicated family background. Shehnaz was the first wife of Anees, who had taken a second wife, Aisa (also referred to as Ayesha), because the first marriage was childless. Aisa had four children from a previous marriage and three children with Anees one son and two daughters. After Anees died in 2018, Shehnaz lived alone, and although Aisa’s children visited occasionally, clashes over property were frequent.

The Breakthrough Through CCTV Footage

Officers reviewed approximately 150 CCTV clips from the surrounding area. One camera captured a woman in a burqa entering the society premises before the murder and leaving shortly after. The same woman was later traced through autorickshaw routes as she repeatedly changed destinations in an attempt to avoid detection. Investigators tracked down the driver who dropped her in Kurla, which helped narrow the search. Police eventually detained Mumtaz Irfan Khan from Masrani Lane in Kurla (West).

Statements Provided to Police

According to officers, Mumtaz had gone to Shehnaz’s home seeking money or a share of the property left behind by Anees. One official stated that Mumtaz told police, “She has told the police that when Shehnaz refused to give money, in a fit of rage, Mumtaz pushed her and she hit her head on the wall. Panicked, she then throttled Shehnaz with a rope lying there, took some money and fled.”
In another account obtained during questioning, she allegedly attacked Shehnaz with a wooden Quran stand before escaping with jewellery and household items.

Property as the Alleged Motive

Senior officers confirmed that tension over inheritance played a central role. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rakesh Ola said, “Mumtaz had heard her husband’s siblings talk about getting share in the property of Shehnaz once she died. Apart from the Ghatkopar flat where she lived, Shehnaz had two other properties.”

During interrogation, Mumtaz reportedly admitted her intent and told police, “My mother-in-law had distributed property to all her other children. Since my husband had passed away, I received nothing. I visited her to demand my rightful share. We had a heated argument and I lost control.”

Initial Case Registration and Suspicion

Before the suspect was identified, a murder case had been registered based on a complaint by neighbour Saika Ansari. The police initially suspected that someone known to the victim was involved, as Shehnaz was not known to allow strangers inside her home. Officers examined CCTV footage and questioned society members to form early leads.

Arrest and Case Resolution

Following the evidence trail and interrogation, police arrested Mumtaz for the murder. With her confession and the digital trail confirming her movements, investigators concluded that the crime stemmed from longstanding property disagreements within the blended family.