Constable Vikas Naik, suspended on Thursday night, also reportedly offered to return the amount in a desperate attempt to escape possible arrest in the case.
His suspension, in less than 24 hours after the incident, came after the police brass prima facie found his presence and movement around the crime scene at Saligao suspicious.
After serving just 15 days at Valpoi police station, Naik was transferred to Mapusa PS on December 12. His transfer to Valpoi PS came after a couple of months as police control room (PCR) vehicle driver at Panjim PS.
With a departmental inquiry underway, his assets, including bank balance and call details are being tracked, a senior officer told Herald.
Meanwhile, the investigation team has launched a massive hunt for four others – Sameer Satardekar, Vineet Shet, Pritesh Mayekar and Paulo D’Cruz – all of whom are facing criminal charges under Section 394 (robbery) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC. “Once the foursome is traced, investigations will get a proper direction,” the source said.
The department heads are also looking into the possible involvement of a police sub inspector from Porvorim, who had reportedly accompanied Naik at the crime scene.
According to the FIR, three persons from Kudal, Maharashtra had travelled to Goa with Rs 34 lakh cash to exchange for old currency notes from Panjim resident Siddesh Fatarperkar on Tuesday night. The trio was supposed to get Rs 44 lakh in old denomination notes, in return for the new currency notes.
