Mumbai:
Rape-murder suspect in one of the Nehru Nagar cases, Javed Shaikh, has police constables who have to run errands to get non-vegetarian food.
Shaikh has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing a nine-year-old girl in Kurla (east) last month. Not just food, the 19-year-old has also been demanding an air-conditioned space to sleep in.
"We are being driven up the wall, fulfilling his demands," said an officer from Nehru Nagar police station. "He has been constantly demanding VIP treatment."
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dilip Sawant confirmed this. "Yes," he said, when asked about the luxuries being provided to Shaikh.
"He eats only if he is served non-vegetarian fare," said an officer from Nehru Nagar police station.
"Shaikh refuses to sleep until he has the air-condition running. So he's allowed to sleep in the cabin of the senior police inspector at the police station," the officer said.
"This case has got so much media attention that we fear he might inform the press that we are depriving him of food and sleep."
The police said they have also allowed Sheikh's mother to meet him every day to show her that her son is not being tortured in any way.
"We're being lenient hoping that this special treatment hoping he spills the beans on the other accused," an officer said.
"We have evidence to nail Shaikh and are concentrating on arresting the other killer," said the officer.