25 Oct 2020  |   05:19am IST

What’s behind Goa’s rising crime rate?

Gone are the days when Goa used to be described as a peaceful State. In the last few months, there have been incidents that have shocked and sent shivers down the spine of Goans. A daylight murder of a jeweller in the heart of Margao, a man in Torda being burnt alive in his car … there was a time when locals wouldn’t imagine that such horrific criminal acts could even occur. So what has gone wrong? VIBHA VERMA does a round-up of all that happened and speaks to the common man and Goa police as she assesses the deteriorating law and order scenario in the State

VIBHA VERMA

When we ask “which are the most unsafe states in India”, the answer is quick: Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Amongst those States dangerous for women are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. These States are not randomly picked but have found a place in National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) report for recording maximum crimes as well as offenses committed against women.

In Goa, where isolated cases, particularly those involving foreigners, would make international headlines once or twice a year; the present scenario of the total collapse of law and order has once again caught the Tourist State on the negative side of the news.

Heinous crimes, be it the murder of a jeweller in Margao; setting ablaze an activist alive in Torda-Porvorim; forcing a teenager to drink disinfectant; or other law and order issues like the controversial rave party, drug busts, IPL betting raids, are countable cases reported within a span of mere three months.

With all types of crimes occurring in the once peaceful State, it has posed serious concerns whether Goa will soon find its spot in maximum crimes category.

The Swapnil Walke murder case

It was a planned robbery gone wrong. The conspiracy to kill the proprietor of Krishni Jewellers was hatched almost six months before the robbery ended in murder, in September. After the dramatic arrest of brainchild behind the crime Evender Rodrigues; Mustafa Sheikh and Omkar Patil were taken into custody; albeit Sheikh had surrendered hours after the first arrest to avoid possible encounter by the police.

Considering the sensitivity of the case, the government was quick to transfer the probe from Margao police to Crime Branch (CB). Over 40 days after the three arrests, the CB made three more arrests – the men who sold the pistol to Rodrigues and Sheikh in Bihar at the time when the accused were plotting an armed robbery in Goa. Rahul Kumar (19 years), Shani Kumar (34) and Kundan Kumar; all hailing from Begulsarai in Bihar are soon to be brought to Goa on a transfer warrant to join the investigation. 

Burning Torda activist Vilas Methar alive – a one of its kind in the State

The incident sent shockwaves across the State. A man, living in a housing society at Torda, whose builder is reportedly involved in illegalities, was burnt alive on October 14. Vilas Methar, quite vocal about illegalities by his builder succumbed to serious burn injuries the following day. After nearly three days, Vishwajit Dabolkar, Pawan Bhadigar, Khayat Sheikh, Altaf Yargarli (real estate businessman) and Iqbal were arrested for their involvement in the shocking murder case. While Bhadigar, a Maharashtra native and Dabolkar from Anjuna were detained by the Sindhudurg police; the three arrests were made later during the day. With the arrest of Sunburn Klassique promoter Shailesh Shetty, being the seventh accused in the case, the probe has taken a new turn. They continue to be in police custody with more details awaited. 

IPL Betting

As police teams across their respective States were cracking down on cricket betting on the ongoing IPL series, the State surprisingly saw a series of raids by the district police, North and the Crime Branch within a span of 15 days. All 5 cases raided by Calangute police (3) and Crime Branch (2) saw non-Goan visitors making Goa their safe haven to place bets. Ironically, hotel accommodation in the northern coastal belt besides a rented apartment at Taleigao was used for the illegal activity. These cases have raised serious questions on the use of such premises for a crime. 

Rave party 

After having failed to track two alleged rave parties in Pernem during the lockdown, Goa Police managed to crack one of the biggest rave parties at Vagator. While the country was celebrating a low-key Independence Day to prevent further spread of COVID-19; a bunch of non-Goan visitors including a Bollywood actor were partying hard at a Villa. The party was not only about music and dance, but presence of drugs as well with all the attendees clearly violating COVID-19 norms. The Crime Branch succeeded to crack it down with arrests of more than two dozen party revelers, among whom 5 were arrested for hosting the rave party. Drugs too were seized. While no further arrests or seizures are made, the case is soon to be chargesheeted. 

St Cruz Shootout 

A late night attack on a rival group member woke up the State to a rude shock. As the country was in phased-wise unlock mode, nearly a dozen masked men attacked a house and vehicles in St Cruz at around 3am on June 20. The attack that clearly indicated rivalry between two gangs, resulted in the death of a gang member Sonu Yadav who was accidentally killed in the firing by his fellow gangster.  

Series of arrests were made who were directly and indirectly involved in the armed violent attack while prime accused Zenito Cardozo - on the run after the incident - surrendered before the police in August. 

The attack raised questions on the security of the citizens with questions even being raised on gang wars prevalent in St Cruz since several decades. 

The case was charge sheeted while Cardozo was still in police custody but since over two months, the court is yet to take up the matter for framing of the charge against the accused. Sources said the local police will move the court to expedite the matter.