VASCO: Dharma Patekar, 78 years, a taxi driver from Vaddem in Vasco was found murdered near Cottage hospital at Chicalim, on Thursday evening. He was stabbed to death by a Karnataka native, 22-year-old Mudassir Kerudi. The accused killed the taxi driver and fled with the taxi but was later arrested by Panjim police.
According to Vasco police, Kerudi had hired the tourist taxi driven by Patekar, from Vasco tourist taxi stand. At around 5.15 pm Kerudi, after reaching Chicalim removed a knife to stab Patekar. A passer by, identified as Shiva Rege, noticed this and jumped to the rescue. Kerudi who had stabbed the driver on his neck threw Patekar out of the car and fled from the scene with the taxi.
Police sources said that the witness who had attempted to rescue Patekar was also targeted by Kerudi and informed traffic police about the incident following which the traffic police alerted the staff at Cortalim junction giving details of car in which Kerudi had fled. Alert policemen on noticing the car made attempts to stop it but failed. Later Kerudi abandoned the car near Goa University.
He then went to the GMC Bambolim and visited the casualty department with some injuries to his hand. He was attended to by a doctor and was later referred for an Xray examination. Doctors present questioned him about the identity and sought details, but his reluctance gave rise to suspicions. Kerudi, however, left the hospital and boarded a bus.
Police have registered a case of murder against the accused Kerudi.
