PANJIM: There was a lady involved in the gang rape at Calangute who managed to give the police the slip before the raid in the rented apartment.
Even as investigations continue, the police concede they are clueless about the motive behind the gruesome crime but prima facie suspect that the accused came together to form an extortion gang.
“The intention is not clear. We are still probing whether the criminals’ motive was rape, extortion or revenge,” North Goa Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar said speaking to Herald.
Taxi driver Abhijit Kochrekar remains a crucial witness as his prompt move to file a complaint with the Anjuna police helped police to solve the case within a few hours. In his deposition to the police, the Siolim-resident narrated how he was forced to drive to a two bedroom flat at Kobrawado (Calangute) where he and the two girls were held hostages in separate rooms.
Gaonkar confirmed that the driver was not aware whether the girls were raped. “The men on two motorbikes accompanied the taxi on either side while enroute to Arpora, and asked the driver to halt the vehicle. They forcibly sat in it impersonating ANC personnel,” the officer disclosed quoting the complaint copy.
The accused then attacked the driver snatching his ATM card and subsequently withdrawing Rs 10,000. “The car occupants were threatened not to raise an alarm. Kochrekar was then asked to drive to the Calangute flat,” Gaonkar stated.
A woman, whose identity has been kept under wraps for the moment, was already waiting there. She searched the victims impersonating a lady cop and took off two packets containing a tobacco-like substance. “She threatened to arrest the girls claiming the packets contained ganja. They were beaten and allegedly raped by the men. The driver was locked in another room,” the SP stated.
After he was left off, Kochrekar rushed to Anjuna police station to narrate the ordeal.
“A police team, accompanied by the complainant was soon dispatched. While driving to Calangute, Kochrekar identified one of the five men at a kiosk buying cigarettes. The team caught him and proceeded towards the flat which was followed by a raid. The lady impersonator escaped,” the officer said.
According to the driver’s testimony the accused were constantly on the phone demanding ransom from an unknown person on the other end of the line. This has compelled police to investigate the revenge angle as well.
“Custodial interrogation will throw more light in the case. Similarly, the arrest of the woman gang member is also crucial,” Gaonkar said.
Anjuna police have registered a first information report (FIR) for extortion, gangrape, impersonation and wrongful restraint against Trebor Joseph, Jeevan Pawar and Kamesh Chowdhury – formerly with Mehfil bar and restaurant before its demolition in February this year, and Nadeem Sayed and Ajay Kusbas.
