SarfAraz Shaikh (17), one of the accused in the murder of his classmate Mukeem Khan (17), has decided not to appear for his HSC examinations, which begin tomorrow. "I won't be able to score a good percentage this time, so I will appear in October," Sarfaraz told the counsellor at the children's home in Dongri.

The co-accused in the case Amir Shaikh (19) is in the custody of the Khar police and, according to his elder brother, Aasif, they cannot afford to hire the services of a lawyer. He, too, will not be appearing for the exams. Investigatingu00a0 officer Baburao Mukhedkar from the Khar police said, "We have not received any court order and so we presume both Amir and Sarfaraz are not appearing for their exams."

Ironically, it was the desire to clear the Math paper with a good percentage that had led to Mukeem's murder on February 13.

Authorities at the home have decided to make an exception and allow Sarfaraz to study and use the library and the counsellors have his Sarfaraz's parents to get him his books.u00a0

Sarfaraz, according to the counsellor, is staying with 35 other juveniles facing trial for various offences. The counsellor added that the boy is undergoing counselling sessions and his behaviour is being closely monitored.

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