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The investigation into the death of 35-year-old Suhail Choudry has reached a critical legal turning point with the formal scheduling of coronial proceedings and a strategic shift in police custody.
Formal Judicial Proceedings Begin Friday
The legal path toward accountability for the death of Suhail Choudry officially moves to the courtroom this week. Bradford Coroner’s Court has confirmed that an inquest into the 35-year-old’s death is scheduled to be opened on Friday, February 20, 2026. Assistant Coroner Ian Pears will preside over the 9:00 am hearing, which serves as the formal judicial start to determining the circumstances of the fatal injuries sustained on Flasby Street. This procedural milestone is a necessary step for the eventual release of the body to his family, including his pregnant widow Zara, who recently issued a heart-wrenching plea for justice for her "proud" husband and their children.
Evolution of Suspect Status and Custody
Operation Pandemus has seen significant movement in its suspect list as the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) refines its focus. A 42-year-old man remains in active police custody today on suspicion of murder, marking him as a primary person of interest in the ongoing interrogation phase. In a tactical shift, three other men previously detained—aged 27, 30, and 33—have all been released on police bail pending further extensive inquiries. This transition suggests that detectives are now pivoting toward a "joint enterprise" prosecution strategy, meticulously cross-referencing digital footprints with forensic evidence to solidify the role each individual played in the group pursuit.
Read also: Forensic Hunt Intensifies as Inquest Date Set for Suhail Choudry
Mapping the 48-Hour Catalyst Violence Chain
Senior investigators are no longer viewing the February 8 assault as an isolated incident. Intelligence now suggests the fatal attack was the climax of a 48-hour streak of precursor violent incidents that gripped Keighley starting on February 6. Detective Chief Inspector Matt Holdsworth has indicated that these "catalyst" events are being mapped through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) to identify the specific hierarchy of the group armed with bats and sticks. Forensic teams are currently synchronizing dashcam and doorbell footage from the East Avenue area to provide a minute-by-minute reconstruction of the targeted pursuit that ended in the fatal confrontation.
Read also: Grief and Justice: Keighley Mourns Suhail Choudhary as Murder Probe Intensifies
Operational Next Steps and Forensic Focus
As the community maintains a high-visibility presence following a vigil of over 100 residents, the investigation is entering a high-tech forensic phase. The focus for the remainder of the week lies in the analysis of weapons recovered near the scene and the mobile cell-site data seized during recent raids. Police are prioritizing the testimonies of two survivors, aged 21 and 24, whose survival is proving vital to dismantling the local "cycle of silence." Authorities continue to urge any residents with information on the precursor violence to come forward via 101 or the official MIPP portal to ensure no detail is missed ahead of Friday’s hearing.
Read more: New Evidence Maps Final Moments in Keighley Murder Probe
