Lens on 7 more NRS students

KOLKATA: The arrest of four senior students at NRS Medical College Hostel might just be the tip of the iceberg. Sources in Lalbazar indicate that at least seven more junior doctors are under scanner for their alleged role in the Korban Shah lynching case. Cops say the conduct of five of them is “highly suspicious”.
Investigators said their names primarily came up in arrested first-year student Jasimuddin’s statement.“Jasimuddin had initially said he had seen a group assault Shah, but claimed that he could not recall the faces. But while recording his statement in front of the magistrate under Section 164 CrPC, he named 11 students, including the four who have been arrested,” an investigator said.
Sources said the four will now be questioned about the role of the others. “We might ask them to record their statements as well to bolster their statement,” said an officer.
Sources said the SIT’s probe has finally reached a logical conclusion after Jasimuddin’s confessional statement led them to find independent witnesses. “The two arrested canteen staffers have also helped us clinch new evidence,” said a source. The four arrested students — Javed Akhtar, Anurag Sarkar, Yusuf Jameel and Arijit Mondol — have been sent to police custody till January 13.
Police have made it clear that they are in no hurry to arrest the other accused. “We took more than 45 days to make these arrests. We are acting only on the basis of evidence. All those who are under our scanner will be questioned gradually if we find supporting evidence,” said a top detective department official. Police hope to have clinching evidence by this weekend to start making arrests.