Kasba abduction: Cops find gaps in girl’s statements

Kolkata: A day after a 21-year-old girl from Kasba alleged she was kidnapped by five men on Feb 13, serious discrepancies arose regarding the claim made by her and the situation on the ground, based on technical evidence.The development came on the same day that Kasba police registered an FIR against unknown persons for vandalising the properties of the two main accused, Akash Singh and Ariyan Singh. So far, three young men, all aged 21, including Akash, have been arrested.
According to sources, the girl wrote in her plaint that around 11 pm, she was kidnapped in a black car. She claimed she was returning from her aunt's place. However, so far, police found that she was at a hotel near Acropolis Mall until around 2.30 am. She said she was released around 3.30 am. "We found no car movement in Kasba area for 4 hours till 3.30 am that matches her version of events," said cops.Similarly, the probe found that she did not visit her aunt at that time. "She claimed she was kidnapped from near a thick bush near Jahajbari. After we visited the spot, she said she was kidnapped from the road. This road remains busy, even at 11 pm. This led to doubts. We are speaking to her male friend and another female friend in this regard. We still need to stitch together the last one hour of her statement, the time between 2.30 am and 3.30 pm," said an officer.Sources, however, said 2 other accused are still on the run and that none of the accused were given clean chit yet. "We need to ascertain why they are on the run. We need further probe to establish the exact sequence of events."Sources said that the male friend who reportedly rescued the girl is being closely questioned. A close friend of the girl who saw her walking towards the car after being summoned by the accused is also being examined. "As a neighbour, she trusted the main accused," said an officer.