In a major breakthrough in the Dona Paula dacoity case, the Panjim Police have arrested Mahmmod Ali (46), son of Yakub, a resident of Calangute and native of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with Panaji Police Station Crime No. 73/2025 registered under Section 310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case pertains to a dacoity incident at Dempo Vista, Dona Paula, reported on April 20, 2025.
According to officials, the arrest came after extensive investigation and coordination between the District Police and the Crime Branch, involving detailed technical analysis. The probe revealed that Mahmmod Ali was closely associated with the main accused, playing a key role in identifying the target house and assisting in the execution of the offence. He is also alleged to have sheltered the accused before and after the crime.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Further investigation uncovered that Mahmmod has a prior criminal record, having been arrested earlier in Vasco Police Station Crime No. 61/2023 under sections 307, 395, 397, 398, 399, 332 read with Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act. He had previously served time at Colvale Prison, where he is believed to have come into contact with the main accused in the current case.
Mahmmod Ali was arrested on October 29, 2025, and produced before the JMFC, Panaji, which remanded him to five days of police custody for further investigation.
Police officials stated that more arrests are likely, as efforts continue to trace the remaining members of the gang involved in the high-profile dacoity.
