Delhi Court Remands 'Lady Don' to Custody in Seelampur Murder Case

 New Delhi – A Delhi court on Saturday, April 19, 2025, remanded 22-year-old Zikra, known locally as the “Lady Don,” to two days of police custody for her alleged role in abetting the murder of 17-year-old Kunal in Seelampur. The ruling comes as authorities continue their manhunt for two juvenile suspects believed to have carried out the killing on Thursday night, which police suspect was a revenge attack. The incident has heightened tensions in the area, prompting increased security measures.

Court Proceedings and Police Investigation

The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Anmol Nohria granted police custody of Zikra after authorities argued that her detention was essential to apprehend the absconding suspects and recover the murder weapon. According to police, the two primary suspects, believed to be minors, remain at large. One of the boys is reportedly a month shy of turning 18, and police plan to verify their ages through official documents upon their arrest.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Zikra, a mother of a two-year-old who does not live with her husband, was allegedly grooming a group of eight to ten teenage boys for criminal activities. “Her obsession with weapons was no secret; she often uploaded pictures and videos with guns and was also arrested for this under Arms Act,” the officer stated. Zikra is said to be a key figure in the Mastan gang, led by Shoib Mastan, who is currently incarcerated on robbery charges.

Background of the Murder

The murder of Kunal, which took place on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Seelampur, is believed to be linked to a prior altercation. Police are investigating a possible connection to an incident in November 2024, when a man named Lala allegedly stabbed and injured one of the juvenile suspects now implicated in Kunal’s death. Authorities suspect the killing was an act of retribution orchestrated by Zikra and carried out by the minors under her influence.

The prosecution described Zikra as a central figure in mobilizing the group of teenagers, including the two absconding suspects, to execute the crime. Her alleged leadership in the Mastan gang and her history of weapons-related offenses have raised concerns about the exploitation of minors for criminal purposes in the region.

Community Impact and Security Measures

The killing has sparked tension in Seelampur, a densely populated area in northeast Delhi known for occasional communal and criminal unrest. In response, police have bolstered their presence to prevent further violence and maintain order. The deployment of additional personnel reflects the authorities’ efforts to address community concerns and prevent retaliatory incidents.

Local residents have expressed alarm over the involvement of minors in such serious crimes, with some pointing to the need for stronger community programs to deter youth from criminal influences. The case has also drawn attention to the role of figures like Zikra, whose alleged manipulation of vulnerable teenagers underscores broader challenges in addressing gang-related activities in urban areas.

Ongoing Efforts and Next Steps

Police are intensifying their search for the two juvenile suspects and Lala, whose involvement in the November 2024 stabbing may have triggered the chain of events leading to Kunal’s death. The recovery of the murder weapon remains a priority, as does clarifying the ages of the absconding boys, which could impact their legal treatment under India’s juvenile justice system.

Zikra’s two-day custody period will be critical for investigators seeking to unravel the full scope of her influence and the network of individuals involved in the crime. Authorities are also reviewing her prior arrest under the Arms Act to assess whether her activities contributed to a broader pattern of criminal behavior in Seelampur.

The remand of Zikra, the self-styled “Lady Don,” to police custody marks a significant development in the investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Kunal in Seelampur. As police pursue the juvenile suspects and probe the motives behind the killing, the case highlights the troubling intersection of youth exploitation and gang activity in Delhi’s urban landscape. With heightened security in place and ongoing efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice, authorities aim to restore calm and address the underlying issues fueling such violence in the community.