‘If he was guilty, he would have run away’

An interview with Vinay Patil, proprietor of cable TV network where the 19-year-old Kurla resident, who has been arrested for allegedly raping and murdering a nine-year-old girl at Nehru Nagar, worked.

Tell us something about the accused.

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He has been working with us for more than two years. He was sincere and hardworking and even worked on Sundays to earn incentives. He was very protective about his family and wanted to give it the best.

What was his behaviour like after June 6, the day on which he allegedly kidnapped the girl and raped her?

He was normal. He had reported to work on June 6. I can’t comment on what he did after work. The police have taken all our computers and log books for investigation.

On June 23, the police told me that they needed to conduct DNA tests on my employees. I took four of my employees for the tests.

If this boy was guilty, he could have avoided the tests but he agreed. Even on June 29, when the deputy commissioner of police told me that the boy’s DNA matched with the specimen found on the victim, he did not run away. He went with me to the police.

What was your reaction when you learnt that your employee’s has been accused in the killing?

I was shocked. I have four minor girls at home. So I can understand the pain of the parents who have lost their daughters. I wondered how such a frail person could carry a nine-year-old girl. But then I have no answer for the DNA report, which is based on scientific procedure. I will cooperate with the police.

How has this affected your business?

My business has gone down the drain. My competitors have cut my connections and are bad-mouthing my company. What has the company got to do if an employee is indicted in a criminal case?