TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In a major breakthrough, two Mumbai-based supari killers’ involved in the murder of rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar were arrested from Old Goa in a joint operation by the Pune and Goa police on Thursday. The Goa police also handed over custody of one of four persons originally arrested for their alleged role in a kidnapping ~ and was later found to be allegedly involved in the anti-superstition activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar’s murder case ~ to Pune Crime Branch (CB).
Pune CB and Goa police’s joint operation tracked down the notorious duo ~ Mumtaz alias Munna Bhai Rasool Ansar (43) and Manguesh Harbat Singh Chaudhary (30) ~ near Old Goa Church where the Feast of St Francis Xavier was celebrated on December 3.
Police sources said the duo, allegedly involved in atleast three murder cases in their native State, had taken shelter in one of their friend’s house since November 24, to evade police arrest.
“They had impersonated as vendors in one of the stalls, among the many that were erected at the Old Goa fair. That stall belonged to their friend, who probably gave them shelter here. Pune police had a tip off about their hiding in Goa,” said a police official.
The information was immediately shared with the Goa police who kept a watch on them and verified their antecedents until Pune counterparts arrived in the State. Both were subsequently arrested in an operation carried out by the joint team.
Earlier last month, Goa police had arrested four persons including three members of a family for allegedly kidnapping a couple and possessing arms. The recovery of a pistol and cartridges provided a big breakthrough as according to the police these were of the same calibre allegedly used to kill Dabholkar.
The Pune CB had taken custody of Narayan Janala, one of the four accused.
On August 20, Dabholkar was shot dead at the Omkareshwar bridge in Pune when he was returning home from a morning walk.
