PANJIM: The Crime Branch is likely to file a chargesheet against PSI Nilesh Shirvoikar in connection with the custodial assault of Edberg Pereira of Navelim at the Margao Police Station in October last year.
Pereira, who sustained severe head injuries in the incident, is presently recuperating at home.
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Pereira was brought to the police station for creating a nuisance and obstructing the public at Navelim. But PSI Shirvoikar allegedly failed to ensure the detainee’s safety, disobeyed legal procedures with intent to cause injury, and neglected proper supervision while Pereira was in custody. He was later suspended.
“Edberg was discharged from Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim on March 14. He is recovering steadily at home. Physiotherapy has already started and speech therapy is ongoing,” according to activist Adv Pratima Coutinho, who extended full support to the victim’s family throughout his treatment.
A total of 25 cases have transferred from different police stations to the Crime Branch police for investigation over the last three years, reflecting an increasing reliance on specialised probes in complex matters.
Of these, 14 cases are currently under investigation, while seven are pending trial before different Courts. Two cases have been classified as ‘A Final’, and one FIR was quashed by the Court.
Among the prominent cases is the FIR lodged against Gautam Khattar for his derogatory remarks against St Francis Xavier, as well as the arrest of a 20-year-old youth in connection with the alleged Curchorem sex scandal.
The Crime Branch is also probing two cheating cases initially registered by the Porvorim Police Station in April 2023 against Akshay Sawant of Venkateshwar Bullion Gold, Socorro for allegedly defrauding several investors of over Rs 5.79 crore.
In another case registered in July 2023, officials of the Goa Urban Cooperative Bank Limited along with directors of Marina Resorts Private Limited have been accused of cheating and misappropriation of property. The complaint was filed by Antonio Trinidade, Managing Director of Jatoyah Investments and Holidays Ltd, Mumbai, who alleged that he was induced to pay Rs 28.72 lakh towards loan dues on behalf of Marina Resorts Private Limited, with a promise that original mortgage documents would be handed over. However, after the payment, the documents were allegedly not returned, leading to accusations of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property and money.
A major financial irregularity involving the alleged misappropriation of Rs 5.36 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was also transferred from the Porvorim Police Station to the Crime Branch in June 2025. The case was registered following a complaint by the State Project Director of SSA in May 2025. Four persons from West Bengal were arrested for allegedly forging cheques and withdrawing funds from the scheme’s bank account. The accused allegedly prepared forged cheques issued to the Goa Samagra Shikha, Goa, and presented them before different banks as genuine, withdrawing more than Rs 5.36 crore from the bank account of the Goa Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Society.
Another sensitive case under investigation is the death of lawyer Jayant Prabhu from Davorlim, Salcete. The case was transferred from the Maina-Curtorim Police Station in September 2024 for further inquiry. Family members alleged that Prabhu left behind a suicide note accusing certain police personnel including a woman PSI Anushka Parab attached to the Margao Town Police Station, of harassment leading to his death. The case is under investigation.
