Popular YouTuber Saleem Wastik – known for his public identification as an ‘ex-Muslim’ – who was stabbed last month at his home in Ghaziabad, has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Delhi businessman’s 13-year-old son nearly 31 years ago.
Saleem Wastik, who had been living under a false identity, was found in Ghaziabad’s Loni area following a tip-off and subsequent verification through old records, fingerprints, and photographs, officials said. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Tihar jail on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
Saleem Wastik
The murder case dates back to January 20, 1995, when Sandeep Bansal, the son of a cement businessman, left home for school in Delhi but never returned. The family searched extensively, but was unable to find him. The next day, the businessman received a call informing him that his son had been kidnapped and demanding a ransom of Rs 30,000 for his safe release.
The kidnappers instructed the businessman to leave the money in a bus near the Loni flyover and warned that the child would be killed if he informed the police.
The family, however, immediately informed the police, and a case was filed at the Gokulpuri police station.
During the investigation, the businessman’s neighbour reported seeing the child riding an autorickshaw with a tall boy named ‘Masterji’. Based on this clue, police traced Saleem Khan (now Saleem Wastik) – who was then a martial arts instructor at Ramjas School, Daryaganj. Subsequently, he confessed to the crime and led the cops to a drain in Mustafabad, where the child’s body was recovered.
Wastik had named his accomplice, Anil, who allegedly played a key role in planning the kidnapping and murder, and in making the ransom calls. Soon after, Anil was arrested. The cops also recovered the child’s school bag, tiffin box, and watch, which were presented as evidence in the court.
On August 5, 1997, the Karkardooma Court convicted Saleem Khan (alias Saleem Wastik) and Anil and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Both appealed to the Delhi High Court. Saleem was granted interim bail on November 24, 2000, but subsequently he absconded and never returned. In 2011, the Delhi High Court upheld his sentence, but by then, he was still at large.
Saleem declared himself dead and assumed a new identity. He lived under the aliases Salim Wastik and Salim Ahmed.
For the next 26 years, he lived hiding in areas like Karnal and Ambala in Haryana, working as a wardrobe maker. Later, in 2010, he moved to the Loni area in Ghaziabad, where he opened a women’s clothing store. Saleem also established himself as a social activist and a YouTuber – who was soon known for his controversial statements and videos, especially on issues related to terrorism and religion.
According to sources, impressed by his life, a Bollywood producer had decided to make a biopic on him. He was even given an advance of Rs 1.5 million for the project. However, Saleem was arrested before this could happen.
Attack on Saleem Wastik
Last month, Saleem Wastik was stabbed multiple times by two men in his home in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, leaving him in a critical condition. A CCTV footage of the incident showed the two assailants, identified as Zeeshan and his brother Gulfam, entering the YouTuber’s home and slashing him with a knife.
The nearly four-minute disturbing clip shows Saleem sitting on his sofa and watching a video on his mobile phone when the two assailants – both wearing a kurta pyjama and jackets – entered his home through the glass door. They arrived on a motorcycle without a number plate, wearing helmets that they did not remove. Within a few seconds, they began stabbing the YouTuber.
Several blood marks were seen on the floor as the accused kept stabbing him.
The assailants can be heard saying, “You are insulting our Prophet, you are insulting our Lord”.
Saleem sustained serious injuries to his neck, abdomen and ear, officials said.
According to accounts from the scene, the accused had attempted to slit his throat. Residents and family members immediately rushed him to a nearby 50-bed hospital. He was later referred to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in Delhi – where he underwent treatment.
A case was filed by Saleem’s son, Usman.
Both the accused, who were carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, were killed in two separate encounters with the police. While Zeeshan was killed on March 1, Gulfam died from his injuries on March 3.