'Cops trying to force confession from me’

MUMBAI: The family of the three-year-old girl raped and murdered in Cuffe Parade last week has alleged that the police is harassing them to force a confession from one of them.
The victim’s 42-year-old grandfather, James Fernandes, said the local police as well as crime branch had detained him repeatedly, beating him up and torturing him each time.The victim’s mother, Suzan Fernandes, said the family would sit on dharna outside the police station to protest the constant harassment.
“I was called to the crime branch office in Crawford Market at 5 pm yesterday along with my brother. They beat me up severely and gave me electric shocks for over three hours. I could barely walk when let off. They told me they have given me a clean chit. But, today the Cuffe Parade police have called me. I am scared to go,” said James. He was detained for almost 40 hours after the girl went missing but was released when the police found no evidence against him.
A police officer involved in the probe denied torturing James but said he was a main suspect. “He was named an accused in the murder of his wife two years ago and has a history of violence. He is out on bail in that case but his past record is murky. Also, the victim’s father named James as a suspect, claiming he was an alcoholic and often raised his hand on the girl. No clean chit has been given and we are awaiting his DNA results,” said the officer.
But other family members countered the charges saying the police, desperate for a breakthrough, were trying to take an easy way out. “Instead of trying to find the real culprit, they are trying to trap one of us. We have had such a huge tragedy and now we have to deal with constant abuse from the police. They have started targeting my uncles and families now,” said Suzan.