MARGAO: The trial in the murder of Abdul Kader Valikar took a new twist with all three witnesses turning hostile and not corroborating their earlier statements to the police during the investigations.
It may be recalled that Abdul Kader was allegedly shot dead on September 26, 2017 at Godinho’s Coolspot Bar and Restaurant at Aquem Baixo, where he was having a drink with some persons. Police had arrested Faiyaz Khatib alias Chotu for committing the murder and one Akbar Shaikh for providing the gun used in committing the crime.
In his statement to the police, bar owner Estaquio Gomes had said that Chotu had removed a gun from his trouser pocket and shot Abdul. However, in the court he said he heard a sudden sound and came running to see Abdul bleeding on the chair.
Two other eyewitnesses namely Shivappa Karbari and Mohammad Rafiq, who were having their drinks at the bar, gave statements contrary to what they had earlier told the police. Public Prosecutor Subhash Dessai said the witnesses have turned hostile.
