PANJIM: The ongoing probe into the death of MGP leader (late) Prakash Naik has found that Wilson Godinho, who is being grilled by the investigation team for two consecutive days, and the panch were not in contact for past six months.
Crime Branch (CB) that recently took over the probe from Old Goa police has so far not gathered any evidence of harassment by Wilson and Tahir Virani, as claimed in the last WhatsApp message by Prakash on January 17, 2020. Crime Branch has also ruled out their arrest as of now.
“No fact, collected as a part of our ongoing investigation, points towards allegations against the two men named in the WhatsApp. We have also ascertained that Wilson and Prakash were not in contact with each other for six months before the incident,” a senior officer said.
Prakash, the sitting panch and former sarpanch of Merces village panchayat, had purportedly shot himself at his residence. GMC had declared him as being brought dead on arrival. The family members suspected murder pointing at bullet injuries on his chest.
In the anticipatory bail plea of Wilson before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, Naik family – approved as intervener in the petition – objected to granting him the relief. The court rejected anticipatory bail followed by Wilson’s questioning by the Crime Branch .
The Crime Branch sources claimed that the trio, including the deceased had kept in touch until the NOC regarding development of a land in the village last year. The plan was later revoked and there was no communication thereafter. “The call details are verified. Wilson neither contacted him directly nor through anyone else,” he said.
Wilson has been asked about his connection with Prakash, the allegations made against him in the WhatsApp message and the land dealings, etc. Sources added that Wilson has denied harassing or torturing Prakash for any purpose.
In the wake of evidences gathered as on date, the arrest of Wilson and Tahir is unlikely.
“Tahir has been interrogated extensively before Wilson was summoned to appear on Wednesday and Thursday. Both have joined the investigation and are cooperating with the investigation team. Tahir arrest is not likely at this stage of the investigation,” the officer said.
Three days after registering a case of unnatural death on January 17, Old Goa police on January 20 filed an FIR against Wilson and Tahir for abetment to suicide. The case was later transferred to the Crime Branch. Interestingly, the Crime Branch had informed the High Court about looking into the ‘murder theory’.
