Herald: Delhi businessman with 80 people attacks iconic Souza Lobo shack

29 Dec 2021 | 08:03am IST

Delhi businessman with 80 people attacks iconic Souza Lobo shack

Assailants were armed with weapons like swords iron rods, bottles and guns; Three critical, one in coma

Team Herald

CALANGUTE: The iconic Souza Lobo Restaurant was attacked on Tuesday night, in another episode of a sustained business-related violence.

Three persons have been critically injured in this fight. One is in coma and battling for survival.

According to sources, a Delhi-based businessman along with 80 people carrying weapons like swords, iron rods, bottles, and guns attacked the famous Souza Lobo restaurant located at Calangute Beach.

The Calangute PI Nolasco Raposo and his team have rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to conduct investigations. Police sources said that the attackers fired bullets in the air as well as damaged restaurant property.

Heard spoke to one of the victims, who accused history-sheeter and ex-Navy personnel Ravikant Yadav of triggering violence.

“Three of us were walking back from the beach when some employees of the Hangover Ladies Dance Bar blocked our way, forcing us to buy tickets to get into the club. We explained to them that we are not tourists. They refused to listen to us and pulled out Katta (country-made revolver) and fired three rounds at us. Fortunately we managed to escape. Ravikant Yadav, who was standing behind the main attackers, kept shouting 'shoot them shoot them," Sunil Bhonkar said narrating the ordeal.

Bhonkar and two of his friends are undergoing treatment at a private hospital for injuries.

Bhonkar who owns a restaurant located on the Baga road rules out business rivalry. But he accused Yadav of fleecing customers by any possible means.

"He (Yadav) has been involved in criminal activities and does not fear the law," Bhonkar said.

The restaurateur claimed that the attack on him and his friends was unprovoked.

This is the third incident of attack on the Iconic Souza Lobo Restaurant. The restaurant was earlier attacked in November 2020 and later in March 2021,

It may be recalled that last year in November, a group of bouncers had allegedly trespassed into the restaurant and had damaged the restaurant as well as had assaulted staff and security of the restaurant and in this connection, the Calangute Police had arrested one Sameer Pavaskar.

Later in March 2021, the Compound wall of the restaurant was damaged on March 15 when the Delhi-based businessman along with goons came to the restaurant and broke the compound wall of the restaurant.

Ugly business fight turns Goa’s best-loved tourist shack into bloody battlefield

Calangute: The attack on Souza Lobo is the third in a series of bloody attacks, in the ongoing war between the operators of the shack and Delhi-based businessmen. The root of this rivalry is the act of the Delhi businessman building an illegal wall that literally blocks the pathway to the iconic shack.

There have been protests by the local people and activists who have taken to the streets on more than one occasion

According to locals and the police, this is a business rivalry between Goans & a non-Goan businessman who has clout. In 2020 the owner of Souza Lobos, was attacked, his was wife was threatened & the place was trespassed & vandalised.

In the present case, an ex-Navy man Ravikant Yadav has once again come under the scanner of the police.

Yadav was earlier booked for running a prostitution racket in Porvorim and for another offense wherein he is allegedly charged with hiring contract killers to kill a businessman in Calangute. Over three years ago, he was arrested by the Karwar crime branch and handed over to the Goa crime branch. Police sources say he has other offenses too registered against him and is currently on bail.

The incident during the election period has once again raised questions on the security of the people including tourists who have thronged the State to ring in New Year. In fact, thousands arrived prior to Christmas even as the ongoing tourist season has seen a hike in arrivals.

The police chief has recently held a meeting with the station house in charges regarding law and order in the coastal belt.

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