Team Herald
Ponda: The murder that rocked the idyllic Dudhsagar tourist destination at Collem in April has been solved. The accused confessed to the crime and has been remanded to 7 days in police custody. This was revealed by Ponda DySP Sunita Sawant to the media. Suspicious of the deceased’s relationship with his wife, the accused took advantage of an opportunity and killed him. The face of the deceased was smashed with stones and the body was found in a decomposed state.
According to DySP Sawant the accused, Ningappa alias Muthu Thalabatta, a native of Hirahal, Tal–Ron District Gadag, Karnataka and deceased Sangappa alias Sanmesh Siddapa Patil, a native of Karnataka arrived in Goa 4 months ago in search of jobs. They were employed as truck drivers with a mining firm at Savordem and resided as neigbours in rented room at Tisk-Savordem. Ningappa was residing with his wife in his room while deceased Sangappa was residing alone in his room. The deceased developed a friendship with the wife of Ningappa. This caused him to be suspicious and he suspected they had a illict relationship.
The accused was looking forward to an opportunity to end this relationship. The deceased insisted on proceeding to Margao to eat kheema as since there was no transport available, he felt they could return by local train from Margao to Curchorem. Ningappa intended to proceed to Dudhsagar River on 21 April.
Accordingly on April 21, accused and deceased travelled from Curchorem to Collem by Tirupathi Express around 11 am and then proceeded to the picnic spot. They consumed alcohol which they carried to the picnic spot. the accused consumed less but pretended to be drunk. Noticing the deceased was fast asleep, he smashed the face with stones.
The accused fled the scene and left for Kankavli Maharashtra and worked as a truck driver for a mining firm.
He was tracked by the Collem Police based on a clue from the murder spot. He admitted to the crime and provided details of the deceased.
Later the police spoke to the owner of the company and confirmed the victim had worked for him.
The accused fled to Maharashtra leaving his wife at her parents house and took some money from his employers and fled.
