17 Jan 2022  |   06:20am IST

Speeding car kills two constables on nakabandi duty at Seraulim

Shailesh Gaonkar died on the spot while Vishwas Deykar succumbed to his injuries on way to GMC; Pajifond resident Craig Rodrigues arrested for rash and negligent driving and for causing death

Team Herald

MARGAO: In a tragic accident, two police constables, who were on nakabandi duty, were killed after they were knocked down by a speeding car near Dholio Service Station, Mungul-Seraulim junction on Saturday night. 

The victims have been identified as Shailesh Gaonkar (30), a resident of Ghodke-Balli and Vishwas Deykar (32) from Corgyagal-Ambaulim in Quepem taluka. Gaonkar died on the spot while Deykar succumbed to his injuries on the way to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim.

Both the constables were attached to the Colva Police Station and were performing nakabandi duty at Seraulim junction on Saturday night as per Plan 'A' in view of the Assembly elections 2022.

Police said Craig Rodrigues (31), a resident of Pajifond-Margao, drove his car in a rash and reckless manner and rammed into police check post and knocked down both the constables injuring them seriously.   

The ill-fated vehicle further collided against a two-wheeler and two cars which were parked alongside the barricade. All the vehicles were badly damaged.

According to the police, the car driver was in a drunken state and was taken to the South Goa District Hospital, Margao for medical examination. Police have collected his medical report. 

The Colva Police have registered a case against Craig Rodrigues under Sections 279 and 304-A of India Penal Code for driving the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner and for causing death. The police have arrested Rodrigues.

The police said after conducting post-mortem examination both the bodies were handed over to family members and last rites were held with guard of honour in presence of Director General of Police (DGP) I D Shukla and other police officers and police personnel.

Constable Shailesh Gaonkar was posted at the Colva Police Station for more than five years and was married recently. Police said his wife is pregnant. He was court police constable and on Saturday he was posted on nakabandi duty during night. 

Shailesh’s brother Sandesh Gaonkar is working as constable at the Margao Traffic Cell.  

Vishwas Deykar was IRB constable and had joined duty at Colva Police Station a few days back. From the police station he called his parents and informed them about his duty.

PSI Jaideep Amre is conducting further investigations.