Kolkata: The police custody of all the 14 hostel boarders, arrested for the lynching of a 37-year-old TV and mobile mechanic inside a Bowbazar state-run hostel, Udayan, on suspicion of mobile theft, has been extended till July 10. But the court has allowed the students to sit for their exams, whoever has to.
The prosecution lawyer on Thursday informed the court that Irshad Alam, a Belgachhia resident, was brutally beaten up inside a locked room in the hostel and that the accused had not opened the door even when the police had arrived.The lawyer said the accused had ensured Alam could not speak to the police and that they continued to assault him till he lost his ability to speak. Only then was the door opened, allowing the police to enter, he said.
The forensic team had visited the hostel. Police on Thursday told the court that bloodstains were found on the hostel floor, and that the CCTV footage was seized. A few accused were still at large, police said. The police lawyer said in court, “There is digital evidence of the incident. If they did not do it, who did? This is not some ghostly incident.” Police have asked for the custody of the accused till July 12.
The defence lawyer, however, denied the students’ involvement and said all the arrested were students and academically talented. Some of the accused requested permission to be able to appear for their exams, which the court granted.
One of the accused claimed he was sleeping during the incident and that he was unaware of what was happening.