After the role of serial rapist Rehan Abdul Rashid Qureshi (34) was revealed in the Nehru Nagar rape and murder of two minors, the Crime Branch now suspects that he may have committed similar crimes in 2013 and 2014 as well.

“We now have a record of his crimes from 2010. He left for a job abroad in August, 2010 and came back in June, 2013. Then we directly find offences from 2015 onwards. But going by his nature and record, it is unlikely that he would not have committed similar crimes in 2013 and 2014 after he got back. In 2012 as well, he was in India for close to six months. We are making verifications about that period too,” Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Tushar Doshi said.

Pending a psychological analysis, the police believe that Qureshi doesn’t have any medical condition that may affect his mental health as he had a systematic process. He targetted his victims by acting as if he was on a call so that no one suspected his intentions. “He also remembers his crimes when we confront him. In case of a medical condition, he wouldn’t have been able to. The only problem in his interrogation is that he doesn’t confess to anything unless we find out about his involvement,” Mr. Doshi said.

Qureshi was allegedly not wearing any underwear for the ease of committing crime. “At the time of arrest, he was not wearing one. He told us it is for the convenience of committing the crime and fleeing soon after,” an officer said.

The details of his travels have been confirmed by the immigration department and matched with his passport. The police have also asked for details of searoutes from immigration to verify if he ever travelled through sea. They had initially suspected his role in the rape and murder of three minors found at Cuffe Parade in 2011 and 2012 but it was found that he was in Saudi Arabia at the time. “Though he was not here, we will still check the DNA in those cases,” Mr. Doshi said.

Meanwhile, the police also suspect the influence of a hakim or baba (godman) on the accused. “Though he has not told us about any hakim we are verifying if there was any such influenc on him. A few babas advise men to have sexual intercourse with minors to have a long and illness-free life,” senior police inspector Jagdish Kulkarni from Crime Branch, Central Unit said.