Team Herald
MARGAO: There seems to be complete lawlessness in Margao. Even though more than 24 hours have passed since the foiled kidnapping attempt on Kunal Raikar, a scion of a prominent jewellers family, at gunpoint in broad daylight at Aquem, the police have failed to make any arrests.
However, Reuben Vernekar, who was questioned by the police in connection with the case, has sought anticipatory bail from the Additional Sessions Court in Margao. Arguments were heard, and the matter is scheduled for a decision on Friday.
The Margao police, which has failed to arrest the gun-wielding goons who attempted to abduct a businessman in broad daylight, could only oppose the “anticipatory bail” sought by Vernekar
There is no sign of the trio who were a part of the foiled kidnapping attempt. It is still unknown if Vernekar himelf was one of the three.
Kunal Raikar had filed a complaint against Vernekar for harassing and threatening him with regards to the sale deed of shop which he (Raikar) was supposed to sell Vernekar. But the sale deed was not executed due to a ‘payment issue’.
The Margao police have submitted to the court that the investigation is in the preliminary stages and efforts are on to trace the unidentified criminals, and that the weapon used by them is yet to be recovered.
Also, it needs to be ascertained whether the gun used was licensed or illegal. During the scuffle, the pistol’s magazine fell out of the gun and was recovered by the police.
According to sources, the victim Kunal Raikar has named Reuben Vernekar as the person who ordered the kidnapping, since they were involved in a financial deal that ran into trouble
It is also being investigated if Raikar, who reportedly owed money to Vernekar, had been delaying paying back for a long time.
Later, sources in Goa Police suggest that both were called for questioning by the police. Raikar had assured that he would return the money, which he failed to do. It is a matter of investigation if the attempted kidnapping by Vernekar is a desperate attempt to recover his money.
Meanwhile, the Margao police are trying to get details of Vernekar’s call history, to verify if he was in contact with any suspects.
The police have urged the court to dismiss Vernekar’s bail request, arguing that his release could lead to him harbouring the perpetrators and helping them evade justice.
Goons waylay Margao lawyer, damage her car
MARGAO: A gang of five men allegedly stopped a Margao-based lawyer and two others en route to a site inspection, verbally abused them and damaged her car with an iron rod. In her complaint to Margao police, advocate Leona Baretto said she was driving to Calconda, Navelim, with her client Vijay Chandrakant Mascarenhas and SGPDA Officer Damodar Naik, to conduct an inspection of an alleged illegal construction owned by Digambar Sawal, husband of MMC councillor Dipali Sawal.
According to Baretto’s complaint, the accused, identified as Digambar Sawal, Asif, Nilu, and three unknown individuals, attacked her car with knives, iron rods, and other weapons. The rear windshield of Baretto’s car was shattered, and she was threatened with dire consequences, including death. “They abused us with such filthy language; despite being a lawyer, I was afraid for my life,” she said.
The complaint has been registered under Sections 351(3), 324, 352, 189(2) read with 190 of the BNS Act, 2023. Baretto's client alleged that the attackers took advantage of the police's inaction, claiming that law and order had deteriorated in Margao. He also blamed the Margao police inspector for the lack of safety and security.
Several advocates have condemned the incident, urging the Chief Minister to take immediate action to curb the growing "muscle power" in the area.
In response, Digambar Sawal denied the allegations, stating that neither he nor his associates were involved in the incident. He claimed that the complaint was false and that no damage had been done to the car.