In a major development in the high-profile Ameer Balaj Tipu murder case, the main accused, Khawaja Tareef Gulshan alias Teefi Butt, has been arrested from Dubai.
Police confirmed that he was apprehended with the assistance of Interpol and will soon be transferred to Pakistan.
Teefi Butt arrested in Dubai
According to sources, Teefi Butt had been on the run after being named the main accused in the murder of Ameer Balaj Tipu. A special team of Punjab Police, working in coordination with Interpol, successfully tracked him down in Dubai.
Also Read: Tipu Truckanwala's son Balaj shot dead in Lahore
Authorities have confirmed that the legal process to bring Teefi Butt back to Pakistan is already underway. His extradition is expected to be completed soon.
Gogi Butt already on interim bail
Meanwhile, Teefi Butt’s cousin, known as Gogi Butt and a co-accused in the murder case, has already secured interim bail and come out from hiding.
In August, a district court in Lahore had extended Khawaja Aqeel, also known as Gogi Butt's pre-arrest bail until September 1 in connection with Ameer Balaj's murder investigation. The court had ordered the suspect to fully cooperate with the police and join the investigation, which was taking place at the Chung Police Station, where the case was originally filed.
Gogi Butt had initially obtained temporary pre-arrest bail on August 16, expressing concern that he would be arrested if he approached the investigators voluntarily. The court had granted him relief at the time, and it has now been extended.
Ameer Balaj murder
On Feb 19, 2024, Ameer Balaj Tipu, the son of Arif Ameer, also known as Tipu Truckanwala, was shot dead in an alleged targeted killing in the Chuhng area of Lahore. Police claimed that Balaj, aged in his early 30s, was attending the wedding ceremony of a former DPS's son in a residential society in Chuhng when an armed man opened fire on him, injuring him critically.
Also Read: Gogi Butt declared guilty in Ameer Balaj Tipu murder case
Three other men accompanying Balaj were also injured, as per the police. However, due to retaliatory fire by Balaj's gunmen, the assailant was also killed.
Media reports quoted doctors as saying that he received four bullet wounds in his chest and died due to excessive bleeding.
According to police reports, on the night of the murder, the two individuals allegedly connected to the case, Tareef Butt alias Teefi Butt and Gogi Butt, were located in different cities. Police claim that Teefi Butt fled abroad from Karachi, while Gogi Butt was present in Lahore.
On March 30 last year, the main accused in the Ameer Balaj Tipu murder case, Gogi Butt and Teefi Butt, were declared proclaimed offenders.
Also Read: Ameer Balaj murder case: Gogi Butt, Teefi Butt declared absconders
Police declared the two main accomplices named in the case absconders. According to police reports, Teefi Butt was hoped to be arrested abroad, while Gogi Butt was believed to be hiding in Pakistan.
The organised crime unit had said that the Dubai Police had pledged cooperation in arresting Teefi Butt.
On Sept 2 this year, the Joint Investigation Team probing the high-profile murder case had declared Gogi Butt guilty. Investigators alleged that Gogi Butt had been in close contact with the main accused, Teefi Butt, and played a key role in planning the assassination.
Gogi Butt’s alleged role in Ameer Balaj Tipu’s killing
According to JIT sources, Gogi Butt not only maintained contact with the prime suspect, Teefi Butt, but also actively planned the murder of Ameer Balaj Tipu. Officials further revealed that he was a named accused in multiple previous murder cases involving the Tipu family.
The JIT will move the court in the next hearing to seek cancellation of Gogi Butt’s bail.
