NRS lynch: Police hope for confession

KOLKATA: Police might get the confessional statement of the prime accused in the Korban Shah lynching case — first-year medical student Jasimuddin. Unlike statements made in front of investigating officers — which is not admissible in court — this statement under Sec 164 CrPC will have legal binding as it will be made before a judicial magistrate. On Wednesday, the cops prayed for his statement at a Sealdah court and were granted permission. The court remanded the accused in judicial custody for seven days after he spent 10 days in police custody.The defence counsel had, however, opposed the police plea. The magistrate called Jasimuddin to his chamber and after speaking to him, finally allowed the cops to arrange for his statement to be taken.Top Lalbazar sources said they are confident that they will get the confessional statement. “We have been looking for evidence in this complex case. Once the statement is given, we can turn our attention to nabbing the other key conspirators,” said a Lalbazar officer. The Special Investigating Team (SIT) formed for the case spent a major part of Wednesday questioning senior MBBS students at NRS Hospital for the second time, bringing them face to face with the two accused canteen staffers. Cops also believe that once Jasimuddin gives his statement, the other two accused may also follow suit.“Our main aim is to question the students again and again on the incidents that eventually led to Shah’s death on November 16. Anyone whose statement does not match will be asked to return for questioning,” said an investigator. Cops say that with a long list of 88 suspects — all students — the process is arduous and lengthy. They hope to have clinching evidence by the weekend to start making arrests.This was apparently the fourth incident where NRS students beat up an alleged offender. “We have heard of the past incidents, but we need some basis on which we can begin investigating those,” said a top detective department official.Sources said the initial forensic tests have confirmed that the bamboo sticks recovered from the canteen are identical to the ones found near Shah’s body. The timings mentioned by Jasimuddin and canteen staffers Kartik and Rabi also match the technical evidence (calls and messages exchanged among boarders and with outsiders).