Team Herald
ANJUNA: In a major breakthrough, Anjuna Police have arrested the prime accused, Janardhan Khorate, and his accomplice, Nikhil Shirodkar, for allegedly evicting the Sinary family from their Anjuna residence.
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The investigation further revealed that Khorate and his accomplices had also kidnapped the Sinary family’s maid. It has also come to light that Aryan Security Agency, based in Mapusa, was operating without a licence, which is mandatory under the Private Security Agency Regulation Act (PSARA). The Crime Branch is in the process of writing to the concerned authority to cancel the agency’s licence.
Khorate had been absconding since the commission of the offence. Most of the stolen property has been recovered and attached under a panchanama. Meanwhile, the Crime Branch has formed teams to apprehend the remaining absconding accused persons.
The Sinary family, residing at St Michael’s Waddo, Anjuna, had alleged that Khorate, along with 15-20 unidentified persons, criminally trespassed into their property in their absence and stole household items. The complainant also claimed they received threatening calls from the accused.
The case was transferred to the Crime Branch on February 13.
The Crime Branch has revealed that the complainant’s maid was abducted from the scene of the offence, following which Sections 309, 140, 61, and 310 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, pertaining to abduction, criminal conspiracy, and robbery/dacoity, were added to the case.
Earlier, on February 13, accused persons Rakesh Raha, Parshuram Gawas, and Vickey Naik were arrested in connection with the case.
Khorate had filed an anticipatory bail application before the Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa, which was opposed by the Crime Branch and subsequently rejected.
Mapusa SDPO pays the price,
shunted out for ‘shoddy’ probe
Team Herald
MAPUSA: Mapusa SDPO Sandesh Chodankar has been shunted over alleged lapses in the investigation into the eviction row, with Pernem DySP Ashish Shirodkar given additional charge.
Chodankar has now been directed to report to police headquarters. Sources revealed that senior police officials were dissatisfied with his handling of the case, alleging that he showed undue leniency towards the main accused, Janardhan Khorate, who had been evading arrest.
Khorate has been charged with allegedly deploying bouncers to forcibly evict the Sinary family without a court order.
The SDPO’s transfer comes after the Additional Sessions Judge II rejected Khorate’s anticipatory bail plea, stating that he could manipulate witnesses and destroy evidence.
The court observed: “The incident occurred in broad daylight, and the involvement of the accused in the crime is established, at least at this prima facie stage, from the material placed on record. Khorate had engaged armed bouncers and attempted to dispossess the complainant (Sinary). The housemaid was abducted. This proves the gravity of the offence,” noted Judge Ram Subrai Prabhu Dessai.
Sources revealed that the department has been left red-faced following the earlier Assagao house demolition case involving bouncers, which allegedly had links to a senior police officer. To avoid a similar controversy, officials acted swiftly in the current case.
Meanwhile, sources within the department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said either DySP Wilson D’Souza or DYSP Rajan Nigyale is likely to be appointed as the new Mapusa SDPO.
