Kolkata: The family of Zaib Ahmed, one of the co-accused in the law college rape case, said he was “charmed by Monojit Mishra’s political clout in the college and access to senior Trinamool leaders”. The Ahmed family resides on Topsia’s GJ Khan Road, and Zaib’s father runs a business in the Bantala Leather Complex. He named his company — Zaib Enterprise — after his eldest son, who is now in police custody. “We started hearing Monojit’s name only recently after Zaib began hanging out with him. Like any other youngster, Zaib was charmed by his political clout in the college and access to senior Trinamool leaders,” said Ubaid Ahmed, sitting in his house on 64A GJ Khan Road.Ahmed’s family said they were unaware of his involvement until the police arrested him. “We have not been able to speak to Zaib, so we do not know what exactly happened and the extent of his involvement. From whatever we have gathered from news and other sources, it seems Zaib was present at the spot, but we are not aware of his role yet,” said Ubaid. He mentioned that he went to the police station on Friday evening but was denied a meeting with his nephew. “It is highly unlikely that he would be a part of such a crime. We want to talk to him first before making a statement.”According to his uncle, Zaib returned home on the night of the incident but did not speak to anyone about it. “We have been staying in Topsia for more than three decades, but none of us has ever been involved in anti-social activity. Zaib should have at least thought about our goodwill before being part of such a heinous activity,” said Ubaid.Zaib’s father, Junaid Ahmed, runs a leather business in the Bantala Leather Complex. The business, named after Zaib, is a family-run enterprise. Zaib is the eldest of three siblings, and his younger brother and sister are still in school. “He was never involved in any political activity in the neighbourhood. After college, he would mostly stay at home. We have no idea how he got involved in such an activity,” said Ubaid. “His parents are in a state of shock. His grandparents have been crying ever since they heard the news,” he added.
