Building’s residents vouch for accused

MUMBAI: Residents of Rizwan building, where 74-year-old Mumtaz Badshah was murdered last month, questioned Oshiwara police’s move to arrest former caretaker Rafi Chaudhary, 28.

While the police claimed Chaudhary was miffed after a new security guard was hired, society members said no watchman was hired since 2013. Chaudhary, arrested by the police from Jammu and Kashmir, is accused for murdering Mumtaz in her ground floor apartment in the Jogeshwari (West) society on February 11.

Asif Sunasra,chairmanof the building, said, “We have not hired a new guard since 2013. Rafi has been working here since 2011 and has never did anything wrong.” He added that he “will consult an advocate and challenge the arrest so the real accused is caught”.

Residents said Rafi has been a helpful caretaker and would help the elderly and children alike.

Subhash Khanvilkar, senior inspector of Oshiwara police station said, “We have investigated the case and arrested him based on circumstantial evidence. Due to the scientific proof and merits of the case, we have secured his custody. The residents are welcome to challenge this.”

Chaudhary’s father, Wali Mohammed, meanwhile, said the police had falsely implicated his son in the case. The police said Chaudhary was picked up for questioning soon after the murder and his statement was recorded. He fled from the city on February 21.

“Rafi called us and said he was running away as the police would declare him as the killer. I then informed the police about this and gave them his number myself to trace him,” said Mohammed, who was himself a watchman in the same building.