Kolkata hit-and-run case: Sambia Sohrab nabbed in connection with killing IAF corporal

On 13 January, an Audi SUV being driven by the sons of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, ran into multiple barriers at Fort William in Kolkata, killed a 21-year-old air force corporal (who was in the midst of instructing a contingent rehearsing for the forthcoming Republic Day parade) and fled the scene. According to The Telegraph India’s report on the incident, the car was found to be registered in the name of a company called Mussadi Business Pvt Ltd, owned by Ambia Sohrab and Tousiff Sohrab (also known as Sambia). The two are sons of Mohammad Sohrab, a former MLA and TMC leader. An India Today report states that this incident follows another incident in 2006 when Sohrab was arrested for slapping a traffic sergeant on Park Street after breaking traffic rules; he was released without consequences. [caption id=“attachment_2587644” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The car that run over the IAF corporal. PTI[/caption] On Saturday, the Kolkata police arrested Sambia Sohrab in connection with the case. According to The Hindustan Times, the joing CP Crime, Debasish Boral, said that he was arrested in central Kolkata. The police also said that Sambia was behind the wheel and was responsible for killing down the IAF personnel Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud. According to The Times of India report, the police tracked him down by monitoring a cellphone which was used by Sambia late on Saturday night. Sambia has been charged with murder (302) and criminal conspiracy (120 B) of the IPC. The police had also searched extensively for Sambia in over 10 locations across Kolkata, according to TOI. According to The Telegraph India, the police were initially reluctant to disclose the names of the owners of the car, but after Mamata Banerjee said that such people “who drive cars like this should not live at all,” the pressure to nab the killers increased. On a television report on Times Now about the case, Johnny, Sohrab’s friend, said that Sohrab was drinking with him on the evening that the incident took place. Johnny and Sohrab’s friends had four cars with them, including the Audi that crashed into the guardrails on 13 January. “We all told Sohrab to park his car and go, but he was not ready to listen,” said Johnny. After many arguments, the friends drove the cars but when they approached the road, constables told them that a parade was going on and that they couldn’t use that road. “In the morning we heard about this accident and were scared,” he added. The Telegraph India also reports that the the police smelt a “strong perfume-like” fragrance in the vehicle. Police also suspect grandson of Rashid Khan’s presence in the car, a relative of his was arrested for questioning.