‘Ex-Muslim’ YouTuber Saleem Wastik Held for 1995 Murder; Why Yati Narsinghanand Slams Arrest?

YouTuber Saleem Wastik Identifying as ‘Ex-Muslim’ Arrested in 1995 Kidnapping–Murder Case; Yati Narsinghanand Questions Cause and Consequence. 

Upendra bharti | HENB | New Delhi |  April 26, 2026:: A YouTuber known for identifying himself as an “ex-Muslim,” Saleem Wastik, has been arrested in connection with the 1995 kidnapping and murder of a 13-year-old boy in Delhi. The arrest comes weeks after he survived a violent stabbing attack at his residence in Ghaziabad.

According to police officials, Wastik—whose original name is reported to be Saleem Khan—had allegedly been living under a false identity for years. He was traced to the Loni area of Ghaziabad following a tip-off and subsequently identified through old records, fingerprints, and photographs. He has now been sentenced to life imprisonment and lodged in Tihar Jail on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and murder.

The Crime Branch, led by Inspector Robin Tyagi, arrested Salim Wastik on April 25 after intelligence inputs linked him to a long-absconding criminal case, as alleged.

Background of the 1995 Case

The case dates back to January 20, 1995, when Sandeep Bansal, the teenage son of a Delhi-based cement businessman, left home for school but did not return. The following day, the family received a ransom call demanding ₹30,000 and instructing them to leave the money in a bus near the Loni flyover.

Despite threats from the kidnappers, the family informed the police, leading to the registration of a case at Gokulpuri police station.

During the investigation, a neighbour reported seeing the boy in an autorickshaw with a man referred to as “Masterji.” This clue led police to Saleem Khan, then a martial arts instructor at Ramjas School in Daryaganj. He was arrested and later allegedly confessed to the crime, guiding police to a drain in Mustafabad where the child’s body was recovered.

An accomplice, identified as Anil, was also arrested. Investigators recovered key evidence, including the victim’s school bag, tiffin box, and wristwatch.

In 1997, a Karkardooma court convicted both accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. While they appealed the verdict, Saleem Khan was granted interim bail in 2000 but subsequently absconded. The Delhi High Court upheld his conviction in 2011, by which time he remained untraceable.

Life Under Assumed Identity

After absconding, Saleem allegedly declared himself dead and adopted new identities, including Salim Wastik and Salim Ahmed. He reportedly spent years in Haryana, working as a wardrobe maker in Karnal and Ambala, before moving to Loni around 2010.

In Ghaziabad, he opened a women’s clothing store and gradually built a public profile as a social commentator and YouTuber. His content often focused on criticism of Islamic theology and discussions on religious issues, which drew both support and controversy.

Sources also suggest that a film project based on his life had been planned, with an advance payment reportedly made, though it did not materialize following his arrest.

Recent Attack on Wastik

On February 27, 2026, Wastik was seriously injured in a knife attack at his home in Ghaziabad. CCTV footage showed two ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’  assailants entering his residence and attacking him while he was seated.

The Jihadi attackers, identified as Zeeshan and his brother Gulfam, allegedly shouted statements accusing him of insulting their religious beliefs during the assault. Wastik sustained multiple injuries, including to his neck and abdomen, and was initially treated at a local hospital before being shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Delhi.

A complaint was filed by his son. Both accused were later killed in separate police encounters in early March.

Yati Narsinghanand’s Reactions and Controversy

Following the arrest, Yati Narsinghanand, pontiff of Dasna Shiv Shakti Dham in Ghaziabad, questioned the timing and circumstances of the case. In a video message, the Hindutva proponent, who claims to be close to Saleem Wastik, expressed doubts over how Wastik could have evaded arrest for 31 years despite allegedly committing the crime in Mustafabad, Delhi, while living publicly in adjacent Loni and maintaining an active presence everywhere.

Narsinghanand also questioned the motive behind arresting Wastik now, noting that he is ill and feeble after surviving a serious attack by jihadi perpetrators. He described the arrest as a conspiracy against ex-Muslims engaged in exposing Islamic extremism and Quranic fallacies to present the malpractices ans superstitions within Muslim community. Narsinghanand further condemned what he called a conspiracy by the Government and media to dismantle the ex-Muslim movement, alleging plans to kill Wastik in jail to intimidate ex-Muslims in India, and voiced concerns about Wastik’s safety in custody and the broader impact on those with similar ideological positions

Ongoing Developments

Authorities maintain that the arrest is the result of renewed investigative efforts and verification of long-pending records. The case continues to draw public attention due to its intersection of a decades-old crime, recent violent incidents, and broader social and ideological debates.
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_Agency Inputs.