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YouTuber Saleem Wastik Arrested Over 1995 Delhi Child Kidnapping and Murder
Saleem Wastik, a YouTuber known for publicizing himself as an ex-Muslim, was arrested in Ghaziabad in connection with the 1995 murder of a Delhi businessman's 13-year-old son. He had previously been convicted in 1997, later went underground, and was stabbed in March 2026 before his arrest. The case also involved the deaths of two alleged accomplices in police encounters.
Why It Matters
The case ties a long-dormant 1995 murder to a public figure who built a media profile around his identity, highlighting questions of justice, identity, and the reach of criminal investigations across decades.
Timeline
9 Events
March 3, 2026 – Gulfam died in police encounter
March 3, 2026
The other assailant, Gulfam, died from injuries sustained in a separate police encounter.
March 2026 – Stabbing at Saleem Wastik's Ghaziabad home
March 2026
Saleem Wastik was stabbed multiple times at his Ghaziabad home. CCTV footage showed two assailants entering the home on a motorcycle, wearing helmets and kurta-pyjama with jackets, and making statements about insulting religious figures.
March 2026 – Saleem Wastik arrested in Ghaziabad on murder links
March 2026
Saleem Wastik was arrested in Ghaziabad following a tip-off. He was found in the Loni area after verification against old records, fingerprints, and photographs, and identified as Saleem Wastik for the murder case involving the 13-year-old son of a Delhi businessman. A case was filed by Saleem's son, Usman.
March 1, 2026 – Zeeshan killed in police encounter
March 1, 2026
One of the two assailants identified as Zeeshan was killed in a police encounter.
2011 – Delhi High Court upholds sentence while at large
2011
The Delhi High Court upheld Saleem's life sentence; at that time, he remained at large.
2010 – Move to Loni area, Ghaziabad; new identity and clothing business
2010
Saleem declared himself dead and adopted new identities. He moved to the Loni area in Ghaziabad, opened a women's clothing store, and lived under aliases Salim Wastik and Salim Ahmed, later gaining a public profile as a social activist and YouTuber.
November 24, 2000 – Interim bail granted to Saleem; he absconds
November 24, 2000
Saleem was granted interim bail but absconded and did not return, leaving him at large for years.
August 5, 1997 – Conviction of Saleem Khan and Anil
August 5, 1997
Karkardooma Court convicted Saleem Khan (alias Saleem Wastik) and Anil for kidnapping and murder, sentencing them to life imprisonment. Both appealed to the Delhi High Court.
January 20, 1995 – Kidnapping and murder of Sandeep Bansal
January 20, 1995
Sandeep Bansal, 13-year-old son of a Delhi cement businessman, left for school and did not return. The family received a ransom call demanding Rs 30,000. A case was filed at the Gokulpuri police station, and the next day the body was recovered from a drain in Mustafabad after police traced leads including a neighbour's tip about a 'Masterji.' Saleem Khan (later Saleem Wastik) was identified as an alleged key figure, a martial arts instructor at Ramjas School, Daryaganj, and confessed to the crime, guiding police to the victim's body.