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Receptionist identifies Saif

Manipal: A day after the Delhi police team visited Manipal with the suspected terrorist Saif Ahmad, the people at the hotel where he stayed, and at the PCO from where he made a call, gave their version of the events on August 29, when Saif checked in here. They also spoke about the events which took place on September 22.

Saif stayed in room 207 at Hotel New Broadway International under a false name. Receptionist Prakash said he had given his name as Rahul Sharma. He came with another person, whose identity is not known.

The two checked in at 2.45 a.m. and vacated it at 7.15 p.m. the same day. Saif, who gave a Delhi address, stated that he had come to secure admission to an educational institution.

The Delhi police made Saif sign his name and verified it with the signature in the lodge ledger.

“The ledger has been taken by the police for their enquiry. The Delhi police, who visited this place on September 22, told me that I should cooperate in the investigation,” Prakash said.

The owner of the hotel, Krishnan Nair, said he had not seen Saif. The address given by him was: Rahul Sharma, L-188, Lajpat Nagar, Delhi. The mobile number given was 09811224306. The room was booked by a receptionist, Mariappa, who worked in the night shift that day.

Mr. Nair said the Delhi police asked for details of Saif’s visit. “Mariappa could not identify him. But Prakash identified him after checking the signatures.”