Basuri Desai
basuri@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Over a month has passed, and the Old Goa Police are yet to determine whether Bashudev Bhandari, a businessman from Gujarat, who went missing at the St Estevam ferry point on September 1, while driving a rented car with his female companion is alive or dead, however the panchanama report by the police, which O Heraldo has access to, indicates that the incident was not a sudden accident.
The panchanama further stated that the duo intentionally drove the car into the river, thinking they could cross over safely and as the car started sinking, they realised the danger too late.
According to a confession made to the Old Goa Police by Bashudev’s female friend, who was last seen with him, both were aware of a river ahead and believed they could drive their car through it to escape their pursuers.
The female companion, identified as Masum Patel, a student of GIM Sankhali, told Old Goa Police that she managed to escape the car and reach the riverbank, but lost sight of Bashudev. The lack of clear answers from the investigating officer has fuelled the parents' demand for the case to be transferred to the CBI for a more comprehensive probe.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the parents of Bashudev have demanded a thorough inquiry into the case and added that the government may transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further probe.
The parents have compelling reasons to seek an investigation by the Central agency, citing several unresolved uncertainties in the Goa Police’s investigation.
It may be recalled that, Bashudev, a businessman from Gujarat, went missing at the St Estevam ferry point on September 1 while driving a rented car with his female companion. While Masum managed to save herself, Bashudev, despite being a strong swimmer, disappeared and has been missing.
Police confirmed that Bashudev was in the car until it reached the ferry point, but there are still many questions that have remained unanswered.
Balram Bhandari, Bashudev’s brother, voiced serious concerns about the investigation, questioning whether Bashudev was driving the car or even in the car when it submerged. He expressed doubts over the contradictory statements of the GIM student survivor, highlighting inconsistencies with CCTV footage.
“My son is a good swimmer, he couldn’t have drowned in those waters,” Bashudev’s father had told O Heraldo earlier. The family has rejected the drowning theory and have reiterated their demand for a thorough investigation by a central agency.