THIS IS A VIDEO-RECORDED INTERVIEW BETWEEN DETECTIVE SENIOR CONSTABLE MAURICE BELL AND AJAY MEHTA OF THOMASTOWN CONDUCTED AT THE ST KILDA ROAD POLICE STATION ON WEDNESDAY 11th MAY. OTHER PERSONS PRESENT, MY CORROBORATOR, ACTING DETECTIVE SERGEANT PETER DAVIS.
Q1 Ajay, this is a taped interview. Do you agree that the time by my watch is now 10.13am?
A Yes, sir.
Q2 Can you state your full name, address and date of birth, please?
A My name is Ajay MEHTA. I live at Unit 14, 4 Lowham Drive, Thomastown. I was born on 20 April. I am 28 years old.
Q3 All right. Ajay, I intend to interview you in relation to your whereabouts on the evening of Sunday 1st May through to the morning of Monday 2nd May. Before continuing, I must inform you that you are not obliged to say or do anything, but anything you say or do may be given in evidence. Do you understand that?
A Yes, sir.
Q4 I must also inform you of the following rights. You may communicate with, or attempt to communicate with, a friend or relative to inform that person of your whereabouts. You have the right to communicate with, or attempt to communicate with, a legal practitioner. Do you understand these rights?
A Yes.
Q5 Are you an Australian citizen?
A No, sir.
Q6 Are you a permanent resident of Australia?
A Yes.
Q7 Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent?
A No, sir. I am of Indian origin.
Q8 Whereabouts in India do you come from, Ajay?
A I am Gujarati, sir. From Gujarat.
Q9 And, what is your occupation, please?
A I am a student, sir. I study Accounting at Victoria College. I also drive a taxi and deliver promotional materials for various companies. On Wednesdays, I work for the Australian Diamond Company, doing promotions.
Q10 What sort of promotions?
A In Bourke Street, sir. I walk up and down, wearing a sign. It is humble work, but they give me many hours.
Q11 Okay, we are investigating the witness sighting of a white van registration number JKM 439. Do you own such a vehicle, Ajay?
A Yes, sir. That is my van.
Q12 How long have you owned this van?
A For about 18 months, sir.
Q13 And could you tell me, Ajay, what you were doing on the evening of Sunday 1st May?
A I was at home, sir. Studying. My exams are imminent and I have been studying very hard at present and working very long hours.
Q14 Were you alone at the time, Ajay?
A Oh yes, sir. I live alone, apart from some friends from India visiting from time to time.
Q15 But there was nobody visiting on or around 1st May?
A No, sir.
Q16 Did you go out at all that evening, Ajay? Perhaps after midnight?
A No. I had been at university all day in the library and arrived home around seven o’clock and stayed home. I worked until about midnight and then went to bed.
Q17 Did you allow anyone else to use your vehicle on the evening of 1st May or the early morning of 2nd May?
A Definitely not. The van is only insured if I am the driver. There is only one key.
Q18 Are you aware of a Watts Paper warehouse in Inglewood Drive?
A No, I am not. Sorry.
Q19 A white van matching the description of your vehicle was seen in the driveway of those premises at approximately 2.30am on the morning of the 2nd May. Do you have anything to say about that?
A No, sir. It would not be possible.
Q20 A man was seen taking a heavy object from a van with registration number JKM 439 and depositing it in the industrial waste bin also located in the driveway of Watts Paper warehouse. Are you still insisting you were home at that time and that your car was parked in your driveway?
A Absolutely, sir. One hundred per cent.
Q21 And there is no one who can verify your version of events?