Mumbai gang-rape: phones of 5 accused recovered

The crime branch has recovered all five mobile phones that were used by the five accused arrested for gangraping a photojournalist at Shakti Mill compound. It will aid investigation as it will help the police prove the presence of the accused at the crime scene at the time of the incident.

The crime branch has recovered all five mobile phones that were used by the five accused arrested for gangraping a photojournalist at Shakti Mill compound. It will aid investigation as it will help the police prove the presence of the accused at the crime scene at the time of the incident.

Satya Narayan Chaudhary, deputy commissioner of police (detection), confirmed that they had recovered all five mobile phones that the accused were using before and during the crime.

While three mobile phones were recovered earlier, the accused had sold two mobile phones for money and for fear of being traced. These two are now with the police, who have also recorded the statement of the vendors who bought the phones.

The phones’ tower location will prove the presence of the accused at Shakti Mill compound when the photojournalist was gangraped, sources said, adding that there is already evidence in the form of DNA and statement of witnesses, and the phones will strengthen the case.

The call records have proved that two of the accused, Mohammed Kasim Hafiz Sheikh, alias Bangali, and Salim Ansari, were in touch before the crime.

Ansari is said to have called and asked Bangali to come to the mill compound after spotting the survivor and her colleague there.

Sources said Ansari also took the survivor’s photos after the rape with his phone, though he deleted them later. Experts are working to retrieve the photos.

Ansari, who had fled to Delhi, was arrested after he switched on his mobile phone for a minute in Delhi as it revealed his location.