Security guard, liftman didn’t even question outsider: Police

Neither the watchman nor the security guard of Shivam Building at Malabar Hill questioned an unknown man going to 50-year-old Pratibha Thakkar’s residence on the sixth floor.

Neither the watchman nor the security guard of Shivam Building at Malabar Hill questioned an unknown man going to 50-year-old Pratibha Thakkar’s residence on the sixth floor.

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According to the police, when the accused entered the building, the security guard posted at the gate did not ask where he wanted to go and his reason for visiting. The building liftman also dropped him on the sixth floor without asking any questions.

“We have called the security guard and the liftman for questioning. There is not doubt that there was lapse in security,” said Vinay Bagade, senior inspector, Malabar Hill police station. “The whole idea of having security in any society is to make sure that a stranger is not allowed in the building premises. However, due to their ignorance the whole purpose has been defeated.”

Bagade added, “We also checked the society’s register where entries of visitors are made. No entry had been made during the period of the attack.”
The police have also detained Thakkar’s servant for questioning as they suspect his involvement in the crime.

According to the police, the accused may have carried out a recce of the area and had targeted Thakkar as he was aware that she was alone during the day. He also chose afternoon to attack, as most residents prefer to take a nap during that period, the police said.

The police said they are confident of catching the accused soon as the security guard and the liftman had seen him and given his description.