ATIF MUZAFFAR

■ KANPUR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COLONY Left studies after father’s death...told me he was going to Delhi, says mother AT A distance of about 8 km from Naseem’s house, is the house of Atif Muzaffar — another suspect.

Located in the Kanpur Development Authority Colony, near the Ram Leela Ground, his house is a picture of prosperity when compared to the other suspects.

Atif, in his early 20s, has a elder brother and four sisters. His late father, M H Muzaffar, owned a leather factory, and was a respected man in the area.

Atif had done his Class X studies in Aligarh and later joined AMU to pursue a short-term course in footwear design. Four years ago, his father died, following which, he left studies.

Like Danish and Saifullah, Atif also ran away from home twoand-a-half months ago. “He told me there are no jobs even after doing a footwear design course from AMU three years ago. I tried to convince him but he did not listen. He told me he was leaving for Delhi. I did not speak to him,” said Atif’s mother.

Refusing to share her name, she said that in the last two months, Atif had tried to call her from different phone numbers. “Maine jawab nahi diya sochke ki wapas aa jayega jab lagega ki amma naraz hai (I did not respond thinking he would return reaslising that his mother is angry),” she said, adding that she fears for her two daughters, who are yet to get married. “Do ki shadi ho gayi hai, ek BA kar rahi hai, aur ek abhi Class X mein hai (Two daughters are married, one is pursuing BA and another is in Class X),” she added.

Neighbours, meanwhile, vouched for Atif. “His father is a respected man. Atif never had any fight with anyone. He was most polite. He was looking for a job,” said Mohd Tariq, a neighbour.

MAULSHREE SETH