Sole eyewitness to J Dey's murder has said this in his statement, putting a question mark over the veracity of the sketch released by the Mumbai Police

In a development that brings the authenticity of the sketch of J Dey's killer released by the Mumbai Police into question, a copy of the sole eyewitness' statement accessed by MiD DAY clearly states that the shootout was over in a few seconds and he had been unable to see the suspects' faces clearly.

'I was in my car and was driving ahead of Dey when the firing took place. I saw the shootout in my rear view mirror.


The sketch of one of the killers released by the Mumbai Police

It was over in a few seconds, which, coupled with the heavy rain and the men's raincoats, prevented me from taking a good look at their faces," the statement reads.

The man has stated that he was driving his car slowly because of the rain and so was Dey.

Suddenly, he heard the noise of speeding motorcycles and, before he could figure out what was happening, he heard gunshots and saw Dey lying in a pool of blood.

The two bikes then overtook his car from the left and right. He has said that the entire incident took place in a few seconds.

After the killers escaped, the witness thought of chasing them, but then realised that he needed to rush Dey to the hospital.

Since he was accompanied by his wife and child and could not lift the well-built reporter alone, he asked the security guards from a nearby residential compound for help.

Dey was taken to Powai Hospital in an Indica and was then taken to Hiranandani Hospital.

Burning questions
When the sole eyewitness himself has admitted to not seeing the killers' faces properly because of the rain, duration of the shootout and other factors, how can the police prepare a sketch which would be even remotely accurate?

Is the sketch simply an eyewash to pacify the media which has been relentlessly exerting pressure on the police and the government to find J Dey's killers?