25-year-old Mustakeem Ahmad became so enraged when learning of his throat cancer diagnosis that he allegedly shot and killed the friend he claims introduced him to smoking.
Mustakeem was arrested in Uttam Nagar on Friday for fatally shooting 25-year-old Inayat, the Hindustan Times reports.
Police told the outlet that the two men were friends and worked as chefs at a restaurant in West Delhi.
According to investigators, Ahmad said Inayat introduced him to cigarettes and marijuana which later led to Ahmad getting a throat infection. A doctor eventually diagnosed the man with throat cancer allegedly due to his “excessive smoking.”
Authorities said Ahmad blamed his friend for getting him hooked on cigarettes. Ahmad was also jealous that Inayat was performing better at work, so Ahmad came up with a plan to kill Inayat.
“Though Ahmad and Inayat were friends at the workplace, Inayat was reportedly better at his job and well-behaved and soon became the favorite of the restaurant owner,” police told the Hindustan Times, adding that Ahmad had been fired over his poor work performance.
Police said in the days leading up the shooting on Thursday, Ahmad purchased a pistol and practiced firing at different targets. He then went back to the restaurant and tried to get Inayat fired. When that didn’t work, Ahmad started an argument with his friend and allegedly shot him during the altercation.
Inayat was pronounced dead at the restaurant and Ahmad fled the scene. He was later arrested in his hometown.
