Police have put out an international alert for a Bradford cab driver wanted in connection with a double murder investigation, after two women appeared in Court.

Arab Sultana, 63, and her daughter-in-law Kainat Bibi, 27, both of Heath Terrace, Barkerend, appeared before Bradford magistrates yesterday, three days after they were arrested in connection with the murders of two men, Shahbzada Muhammed Imran and Ahmedin Sayed Khyel.

The badly-beaten bodies of Mr Imran, 27, of Gloucester Avenue, Fagley, who was known locally as Imran Khan, and 35-year-old Mr Khyel, of London, were found dumped at the side of a country road, in New Lane, near Tong, a week ago.

Sultana and Bibi were both charged with murder and a second charge of assisting an offender by destroying or concealing forensic evidence, when they appeared at Bradford Magistrates’ Court.

Shortly after the court hearing, West Yorkshire Police issued a photograph of a man they want to speak to in connection with the murder inquiry.

He was named as Mohammed Zubair, 31, and from Bradford.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Dick Nuttall said police inquiries suggested Zubair had left the country last Wednesday, the day after the discovery of the bodies.

Det Supt Nuttall urged anyone with information about Zubair’s whereabouts, or his recent movements, to contact the incident room on (01924) 334693.

Members of the community said Zubair is the son of Arab Sultana and husband of Kainat Bibi, and lived with them at the address in Heath Terrace. He worked as a cab driver, but is believed to have fled to Pakistan.

Bibi and Sultana were both dressed in full-length Asian dresses and hijabs when they appeared in a secure dock yesterday. Sultana had to be helped up the steps into the dock by a woman security officer who asked the magistrates if the defendant could remain seated during the three-minute hearing.

Both women had the short proceedings interpreted to them. They confirmed their names, ages and address, and that they understood the charges. They were both remanded in custody and will be produced from the cells to the crown court today.

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A