Sylvester Daniel

Sylvester Daniel is a person known for having a criminal history and being a key witness in the cases for the death of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati killing.

## Early life[edit]

Daniel's parents both had careers in healthcare.[1] They lived in Rajasthan.[1] Daniel had good grades as a student.[1] He also played sports.[1]

## History sheet[edit]

When in jail he met a local crime boss who recruited him for more crimes.[1] Again in jail he met Tulsiram Prajapati who introduced him to Sohrabuddin Sheikh.[1] The local criminal culture and police knew of the three as a criminal trio who collaborated.[2] Police later charged Daniel, Tulsiram, and Sohrabuddin with the murder of Hamid Lala, who was another crime boss.[1]

In December 2004 the police arrested Sohrabuddin, Tulsiram, and Daniel for the case known as the "Popular Builders firing".[3] His charge was firing guns at real estate developers with Tulsiram.[3] In this case, these three fired guns at the Patel brothers, who were owners of the Popular Builders real estate company.[3]

## Witness in Sohrabuddin case[edit]

See also: Death of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati killing

Daniel came to national attention as a witness in the death of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and its connected Tulsiram Prajapati killing.[1]

In October 2011 after a court appearance Daniel escaped from police custody. There were various stories explaining how he escaped.[4] One story is that he escaped during a toilet break, and another is that he escaped when the police took him to visit his sick mother at her home.[4] Another story is that several police officers drank alcohol with him at his home, and that Daniel escaped after getting them drunk.[5] Another story is that police wanted Daniel to escape.[6]

After escaping Daniel bought a gun.[7] Within 24 hours of escaping police arrested him again.[2]

The police administration charged 5 officers for their actions which led to Daniel's escape.[8]

The Central Bureau of Investigation petitioned the court to not let Daniel out of jail for his own safety, and to thereafter have his legal proceedings in the jail.[9]

In July 2012 Daniel got bail and left jail.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Shah, Ritesh (11 October 2011). "How brilliant student Sylvester Daniel got into the world of criminals". DNA India.
2. ^ a b Express News Service (24 November 2011). "Key Sohrabuddin encounter witness flees, arrested". The Indian Express.
3. ^ a b c d "2004 Firing Case Accused Sylvester Daniel Gets Bail". Outlook. 6 July 2012.
4. ^ a b "Key Sohrabuddin encounter witness flees, arrested". The Indian Express. 24 November 2011.
5. ^ NDTV Correspondent (9 October 2011). "Sohrabuddin fake encounter case: Cops drank with key witness before his escape". NDTV.
6. ^ "Sohrabuddin case: did police help witness flee?". News18. 9 October 2011.
7. ^ Apurva (24 November 2011). "After escape, key Sohrabuddin witness bought gun in Ajmer: Rajasthan police". The Indian Express.
8. ^ Economic Times Bureau (11 October 2010). "Sohrabuddin Sheikh case: 5 Gujarat cops held in escape of key witness Sylvester Daniel". The Economic Times.
9. ^ Thakor, Prashant (11 October 2011). "CBI wirtes to police, says want Sylvester Daniel safe in jail". DNA India.