Farid Tanasha’s kin fails to identify his killers

She said she was unable to do so, as many years had elapsed after she first identified them and she could no longer recall their faces.

The relative of gangster Farid Tanasha failed to identify his killers in court even though she had been staying at the house where Tanasha was shot dead.

A close aide of underworld don Chhota Rajan, Tanasha was gunned down on June 3, 2010 at his residence in Chembur by four assailants. According to the prosecution, Tanasha’s wife, daughter and one of their relatives, 22-year-old housewife Arshiya Sayyed were at home when the incident occurred.

The prosecution examined Sayyed as their second witness last week. In her deposition before the court, Sayyed said, “On June 2, 2010, I was Farid Chacha’s house. The incident took place about 9.30 p.m. Farid was in his bedroom and I was in the kitchen. Two people went into Farid’s bedroom.”

Sayyed added that two assailants entered the house from behind, carrying pistols. She heard firing from the bedroom where Tanasha, his wife and daughter were present. She added that when the assailants were leaving, she saw them, and they threatened her.

Sayyed said the police recorded her statement. One-and-a-half month later, she was called to Taloja jail, where she identified the two killers as part of the test identification parade.

Six years later, Sayyed was summoned by the prosecution to testify before the court. Special public prosecutor Raja Thackrey asked Sayyed to identify the killers. However, she said she was unable to do so, as many years had elapsed after she first identified them and she could no longer recall their faces.

Sayyed was later cross-examined by defence lawyers Mahesh Mule and Sudeep Pasbola. The defence said Sayyed was shown photographs of the accused to help her identify them. Sayyed denied the allegation.