DNA Breakthrough Leads to Murder Charge for Rashid in Suhail Case

Legal proceedings have surged into high gear this morning with a formal murder charge and the opening of judicial inquiries into the death of Keighley father Suhail Choudry.

Murder Charge and Forensic DNA Breakthrough in Suhail Choudry Case

Rashid Hussain, 41, faces court today as detectives link group DNA to weapons in fatal Keighley hunt.

Read More: DNA on Bats and Digital Pings: 'Invisible Net' Trapping Suhail Choudry’s Killers 

The quest for justice for 35-year-old Suhail Choudry reached a definitive milestone this morning, Friday, February 20, 2026, as West Yorkshire Police officially charged Rashid Hussain, 41, of Redcliffe Street, Keighley, with murder. Hussain is also charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and violent disorder, appearing before Bradford Magistrates Court today. This breakthrough follows a high-stakes forensic phase where the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) successfully recovered viable DNA profiles from the "blunt instruments"—specifically bats and sticks—seized during the investigation of the February 8 attack on Flasby Street.

Judicial Inquiry and Cause of Death

Simultaneously, at Bradford Coroner’s Court, Assistant Coroner Ian Pears formally opened the inquest into Mr. Choudry’s death at 9:00 am. The hearing confirmed that the "proud" father-of-two died on February 11 from catastrophic head injuries following what investigators describe as a "targeted pursuit" by an armed group. This legal step now permits the release of Suhail’s body to his pregnant widow, Zara, who recently shared a heartbreaking plea for witnesses to break the local "cycle of silence." The inquest has been adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal trial against Hussain and the ongoing investigation into his associates.

Operation Pandemus and the Joint Enterprise Hunt

Under the banner of Operation Pandemus, detectives are now utilizing the newly matched DNA evidence to solidify a "joint enterprise" prosecution against four other men—aged 27, 30, 33, and 42—who have navigated varying stages of police custody and bail. By synchronizing physical DNA hits with mobile cell-site data, police have successfully mapped a 48-hour "catalyst" violence chain that began on February 6 and culminated in the fatal assault. This digital and physical reconstruction identifies the hierarchy of the attackers and places the suspects in the East Avenue area transit route during the chase. Authorities urge anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage from the 48 hours leading up to the murder to submit it via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) to finalize the case against the remaining group members.