TAHIR SYED SENTENCED TO OVER 34 YEARS FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF BRADFORD BUS DRIVER IN BATLEY

Tahir Syed, a 42-year-old man with ties to both Batley and Bradford, has been handed a severe prison sentence exceeding 34 years for the heinous murder of his uncle, Asghar Badshah. The tragic events unfolded on 30 November 2019, when Syed lured his 39-year-old uncle, a bus driver from Bradford, to a disused bank in Batley under the pretense of discussing a financial matter. What followed was a brutal assault inside the bank premises, culminating in Mr. Badshah being beaten to death in a manner that shocked the court and community alike.

His body was not discovered until four weeks later, concealed behind a false wall within a vault of the abandoned bank. The discovery of the body brought to light the extent of the violence inflicted upon Mr. Badshah, and the subsequent investigation revealed a complex web of criminal activity involving Syed and his associates. The court heard that Syed was involved in importing significant quantities of cocaine and heroin into the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2021, highlighting a broader pattern of organized crime.

Judge Thomas Bayliss KC addressed the court, stating that Syed had been instructed to 'hide a large amount of cash,' which was suspected to be stolen money. This suspicion was a key factor in the escalation to murder, as the judge explained that the killing was driven by a desire to cover up the theft. Following the murder, Syed fled the UK, traveling through the Netherlands, Albania, and Iran before being detained in Turkey in November 2021. He was subsequently extradited back to the United Kingdom to face justice.

During the court proceedings, emotional testimonies emerged. Syed’s twin brother, Akbar Badshah, described the act as 'evil and selfish,' expressing profound grief over the loss of his brother. He called the murder a 'cruel and senseless act,' emphasizing the devastating impact on their family. Relatives of the victim, including his wife Nasra Bibi Shah, shared their sorrow, with her recounting how Mr. Badshah was eagerly anticipating fatherhood. Tragically, she later gave birth to their son through IVF, a testament to the family's resilience amid tragedy.

The court also heard disturbing details about Syed’s deception. He had lied to his family about his uncle’s fate and had denied Mr. Badshah the Islamic rites of washing and burial, which his brother condemned as 'a sin against humanity and faith.' Earlier in the proceedings, Syed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal money, which contributed to his sentencing. The judge sentenced him to 34 years and 153 days in prison, including nearly four years already served since his extradition from Turkey, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the murder of Asghar Badshah in Bradford and Batley.