VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herld-goa.com
PANJIM: With Goa Police readying to fast track the ongoing probe into the horrific gang rape of a young girl at Betalbatim, they have also decided to ensure that one of the three accused – wanted for rape and double murder in Madhya Pradesh – faces a thorough investigation and stands trial in the State.
Sanjeev Pal (25), Ram Bhariya (24) and Ishwar Makhwana (24), all from Indore (MP) are being interrogated for the offence that has generated wide outrage among people across the State.
With the police top brass monitoring the probe, the investigation team is preparing a watertight case against the accused.
“If the Indore police approach the local magistrate for transfer of custody of the accused (Makhwana), the local investigating team will definitely file an objection plea. We will insist on a trial here. Let him face investigation and trial. If required, he can be transferred to Indore police’s custody during the trial stage in Goa,” Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh told Herald.
While the local police are interrogating the three accused – all have confessed to the crime – Makhwana is simultaneously being interrogated by a police team from Indore.
A charge-sheet in the case is likely to be filed within two months and Makhwana will be named as the first accused as he allegedly was the mastermind of the crime, demanded money from the victim and her male friend, stripped them and raped the girl. The entre crime was also video-recorded by the trio. After this, the prime accused also demanded ransom from the couple to keep the offence a secret and not to circulate the video clip.
Singh said the police will seek their custody till the end of the trial. “They are dangerous criminals. They should not be released,” he said.
One of the investigating team members added that they will oppose any bail application the accused may file. “They should not be granted bail for a serious offence like this,” he said adding, “If they can commit a crime in an open area and dare to threaten the victim after the incident, they can resort to any extent to cause harm to the couple or commit other offences.”
The police have also kept open options if the accused want to get their confessional statement recorded before a magistrate.
The victim is cooperating with the investigation and a senior police officer said, “She is a bold woman.”
