CALANGUTE, DEC 22
Calangute Police on Wednesday filed an FIR against unknown persons in connection with the reported theft of copper wires worth Rs 6.2 crore from the grounded ‘River Princess’.
It may be recalled that Judicial Magistrate First Class at Mapusa had directed Calangute Police to file an FIR in this connection. However, police are yet to receive the JMFC Mapusa order.
It is reliably learnt that Calangute Police had sought opinion of the Director of Tourism and North Goa Collector in the matter on receipt of letter from Shetye and Govekar, as the grounded ‘River Princess’ is the property of Goa government.
It may be recalled that Ketan Govekar of St Inez and Kashinath Shetye of Ribandar had complained to Calangute Police Inspector and Superintendent of Police (North), Porvorim, that copper wires worth Rs 6.2 crore had gone missing from the vessel.
The complaint further stated that subsequent to the inspection carried out by various government departments like Tourism, GCRZMA, Navigation, Panchayat, Inland waterways and Salvage Companies, the copper wires from the vessel have gone missing in connivance with the original owners of the vessel, thereby causing losses to the State government and the Exchequer.
The complainants had prayed to the Calangute and Goa Police to take immediate cognizance of the complaint and file an FIR under Sections 378, 379, 461, 462, 120B and 34 and also under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and conduct a thorough inquiry/investigation in the matter and nab the culprits involved in the theft.