TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: A 24-yr-old milkman from Hubli, but residing at Pedem-Mapusa, was found murdered in Assagao and a friend along with a minor boy have been arrested in this connection.
According to Mapusa police, Mahesh Koppal, who was employed with a milk trader, did not report to work on November 14 and the milk trader tried telephoning him to enquire about his absence.
Since there was no response, the milk trader went to his residence to enquire about Mahesh and his mother Kallava Koppal, later went to the Mapusa police station to file complaint regarding the disappearance of her son. Police, however, advised the mother to wait till evening, with the hope that he could return home.
When Mahesh did not reach home till Friday morning, the mother lodged a missing complaint and she told police that her son had received a call from his friend, Akash Rawat.
Police then detained Akash alias Aryan Rawat (20) of Ansabhat-Mapusa and during interrogation, Akash confessed to the crime and disclosed the identity of his 17-year-old accomplice who hails from Khorlim-Mapusa.
Mapusa police conducted a search on Friday, but were unable to locate the body till late night. Police then resumed their search operations on Saturday morning and traced the body in the forest area of Assagao at about 11 am.
According to reliable sources, Mahesh and Akash were good friends and Akash had reportedly promised to buy a second-hand car for Mahesh for Rs 35,000. Accordingly, Mahesh paid Rs 35,000 to Akash to purchase the car.
Akash subsequently bought a second-hand car, but did not pay the owner the balance amount. As a result, the original owner did not transfer the car into Akash’s name.
When Mahesh realized that Akash was not handing him over the car, he became suspicious and began demanding his money. Akash began evading him and Mahesh then threatened to confront him at his residence, sources added.
Akash then phoned Mahesh on Thursday morning at about 9 am and told him that he had stolen some gold from his house and had kept it in the forest at Assagao.
Akash took another friend, a 17-year-old boy, to Assagao and they met Mahesh at an isolated spot in the forest. Akash then allegedly stabbed Mahesh several times with a scythe from behind, killing him on the spot. When the minor questioned him about the murder, Akash also threatened to kill his elder brother if he revealed the truth.
The body was later sent for an autopsy at the Goa Medical College Hospital at Bambolim. The Police have arrested Akash under Sections 302, 394, 201 r/w 34 IPC, while the minor has been sent to the remand home.
