Date:08/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/08/stories/2008020855660100.htm

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Ayesha case: TDP provides ‘clues’

Special Correspondent

‘A black Scorpio was seen parked outside hostel on fateful night’

HYDERABAD: A delegation of the Telugu Desam Party provided what it called ‘six clues’ in the Ayesha murder case in a memorandum submitted to A. P. Minority Commission chairman Yousuf Qureshi here on Thursday.

Accompanied by parents of Ayesha, the TDP delegation said a black Scorpio was seen parked at the hostel on the night when the student was found murdered in her hostel at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada. A dog, which used to be kept at the main gate, was found tied inside the hostel that night.

Outsiders testified that power supply was available on the fateful night whereas the hostel warden claimed it was not.

Also, those living near the hostel testified that they sighted a local Inspector making regular visits to the hostel for unexplained reasons. Two pairs of male footwear were found outside Ayesha’s room and two mobile phones on her bed. Headed by K. Yerran Naidu, leader of Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party, the delegation comprised N. Rajakumari and Yousuf Ali.

They had earlier submitted memorandum to Vice-President Hamid Ansari seeking his intervention.

Speaking to reporters later, Ayesha’s mother S. Begum as well as the TDP leaders said the evidence clearly showed that the hostel warden and her husband knew the identity of the culprits. They criticised the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Union Minister D. Purandeswari, Mahila Commission and Women’s Protection Cell for maintaining silence in the sensational murder case.

Aid rejected

Ms. Begum and her husband said they had rejected the financial assistance offered by the Chief Minister and instead sought justice. They said they would not relent until the culprits were punished.