PANJIM: Crime Branch (CB) on Saturday arrested Evender Rodrigues, the fourth accused wanted in the murder of Margao jeweller Swapnil Naik. Rodrigues was picked from his residence at Santa Cruz by a CB team, formed to investigate the case.
Omkar Patil, Edson Gonsalves and Mustafa Sheikh are already in custody, and are undergoing interrogation. Sources said that since a majority of them were arrested from St Cruz, the CB is investigating their link with history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo.
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“Patil has criminal cases pending against him while others also have criminal record. Since at least two accused are from St Cruz, we are also probing if they have links with Zenito’s gang,” an official said.
Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena on Friday had ordered the transfer of the case to CB from Margao police. A day later, as CB took over the probe the case papers arrived only late in the evening, while all accused will be interrogated to ascertain the motive behind the attack.
Earlier during the day, the department appointed senior inspector C L Patil to lead the investigation team. The sleuths thereafter visited the crime spot. “We have collected evidence and are interviewing witnesses. We are closer to getting further details on the motive of the attack,” the source said.
“A fresh FIR will be registered. Initial probe of the Margao police and statements recorded until the handing over to CB will be scrutinised, after which CB will commence its probe. As of now, the accused are being interrogated and examination of the crime scene is underway,” the source added.
