Mumbai Crime Branch Wednesday conducted a test identification parade of the minor suspect arrested for the August 22 gangrape of a photojournalist at the Shakti Mills compound. Officials said the result was positive and the other four suspects would be subjected to the parade later this week.
The minor was the first to be arrested within 12 hours of the complaint being registered. His arrest was pivotal to the investigation,as he helped identify the other suspects. They were subsequently traced and arrested over the next four days.
We conducted the parade at the Dongri remand home. The suspect and four others with similar physical attributes were made to stand together. The victim and her male friend identified the suspect, said a Crime Branch official.
The other suspects,Siraj Khan,Salim Ansari,Qasim Sheikh and Vijay Jadhav,are currently in the Crime Branchs custody. We will apply for their identification parade after their custody expires Thursday, the officer said.
An officer with the N M Joshi police said they would seek custody of Ansari,Sheikh and Jadhav,who are also accused in the July 31 gangrape,after the Crime Branchs test identification parade was complete.
Crime Branch sources said after the identification parade,only forensic test reports remained,and a chargesheet would be filed as soon as they came in.
mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com