RTI activist murder case: CBI searches interior designer's office

After obtaining custody of city-based interior designer/architect Zahida Pervez, and Shakib Ali "Danger", the two suspects in the Shehla Masood murder case, from an Indore court, CBI today brought them back to Bhopal for further investigation.

CBI sleuths also searched Zahida's office in the Maharana Pratap Nagar in the presence of her husband, Asad Pervez. Search was on even in evening.

Irfan, a third suspect and one of the alleged shooters, who was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with another case, had told the interrogators that he had been hired by Zahida's men for killing Shehla, said CBI spokesperson, Dharini Mishra.

According to sources, Zahida told CBI officers that she had Masood killed through hired shooters, because she suspected Masood's relations with her husband.

Masood, a well-known RTI activist, was shot dead outside her house at Koh-e-Fiza locality of Bhopal on August 16, 2011.

As the search at Zahida's office, located in a busy commercial area, started in the afternoon, curious onlookers gathered outside.

Police were deployed in the area as a precautionary measure. CBI has also deployed armed security personnel at the office.