TEAM HERALD
PANJIM/VASCO: Goa Police have said they do not rule out the possible involvement of a family member in the double murder case at Vasco as they wait to record statements of the daughter-in-law Pratima Naik, who survived the brutal attack by two unidentified assailants.
“As policemen, we suspect everybody,” Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg said, replying to Herald whether police were suspecting an ‘insider’ behind the robbery-cum-murder.
Late Sunday evening Vasco police questioned Pratima at the police station. According to police sources, she was questioned almost for an hour and she denied any involvement in the double murder. “After interrogation, she was allowed to go to her sister’s place in Vasco,” added the source.
Two unknown robbers had barged into the flat at Shree Kamat Palace Co-operative Housing Society and strangulated Usha Naik and her daughter-in-law Dr Neha Naik, last week.
Pratima, who along with the six-month old daughter of Dr Neha, survived the attack, is presently under medical observation at Goa Medical College and Hospital. Garg said they are yet to record her statement, which will be done once she is discharged.
“We have not interrogated all family members. Some are away (not in Goa) and Pratima is admitted to GMC. The bodies are also not disposed off,” he said.
Sources indicated that police officials who recorded statements of a few witnesses found evidence pointing fingers at insiders, closely known to the family. Some inconsistencies in Pratima’s initial statement to the police on the sequence of events leading to the double murder have surfaced. She sustained a 5cm cut on her stomach, which sources say are superficial and her claim that robbers sprinkled chili powder in her eyes is being probed.
High-ranking police officials continued to camp in Vasco on Sunday and interrogated the gas agency people, including the owner, officials, the staff and delivery boys.
“The police officers also checked the customer’s service register of the gas agency to verify whether any of their staff had visited the flat on Thursday evening,” said the source.
Police sources said that they also interrogated Pratima’s brother-in-law (elder sister’s husband).
Speaking to Herald, a high ranking police officer said if there was smooth entry into the flat, then it might have been the job of the insider. The officer said an insider might have drugged the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and later in the early hours of Friday morning with the help of an accomplice killed them.
However, police are tightlipped and said they are working in the right direction and they will crack the case in the next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, Siddhart Naik, husband of Neha, arrived, while Pravin Naik, husband of Pratima, is expected to arrive on Monday.
It is learnt that the final rites of Usha and Neha will take place on Monday afternoon.
