HC asks cops to reopen case

On the direction of the Bombay High Court, the Bandra police on Thursday reopened an accidental death case of a youth, and lodged a case of murder. The case had been closed last year.

On the direction of the Bombay High Court, the Bandra police on Thursday reopened an accidental death case of a youth, and lodged a case of murder. The case had been closed last year.

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The deceased, Rashid Shaikh, 38, was admitted to Bhabha Hospital on April 12 last year by an unknown person. This person, who disappeared soon after admitting Shaikh, told the staff that Shaikh had fallen unconscious while walking.

Shaikh had no injuries on his person and was declared dead while undergoing treatment, after which the police registered a case of accidental death. However, Shaikh’s brother, who suspected foul play, alleged that he had been killed by his wife and her lover, who was politically connected.

Shaikh’s brother, who was unsatisfied with the police investigations, approached the high court, who directed the police to registered a murder case and investigate the matter.

“We traced the person who had admitted Shaikh to the hospital but he said that he had fled as he feared getting involved with the police,” said a senior police officer from Bandra police station.

Shaikh’s brother told the police that his brother and his wife were staying separately as he suspected her of having an extramarital affair. The couple had two children who were staying with Shaikh’s wife.