Team Herald
PANJIM: In a shocking development, body of Guruprasad Rane, a key suspect in a high-profile murder case in Karwar, was discovered floating in the Mandovi River near Panjim under mysterious circumstances, on Wednesday.
The 55-year-old businessman, who was recently linked to the brutal killing of a Pune entrepreneur, Vinayak Naik alias Raju, was found dead just days after the authorities apprehended two hired assailants from Nepal. As investigations unfold, the web of deceit and illicit connections surrounding these tragic events continues to deepen.
The Kadra-Karwar Police had been on the hunt for Rane since Tuesday after arresting two assailants from Nepal hired by him, in Mapusa. Goa Police received a call on Wednesday around 03:40 pm that a dead body was floating in the river Mandovi near Narvekar jetty in Brittona.
With the help of Coastal Police Panjim, the body was recovered and was identified by Nita Rane, the wife of Guruprasad. Porvorim Police informed that the body is preserved in GMC Bambolim for post-mortem examination. Police further informed that the exact cause of death cannot be concluded before forensic analysis.
It may be recalled that armed assailants entered Vinayak Naik’s home around 5:15 am in his ancestral village of Hankon and attacked him and his wife Vrashali. Vinayak died on the spot, while Vrashali was hospitalised with serious injuries.
The couple had arrived in the village on September 3 to participate in a local temple fair and were planning to leave for Pune on Sunday morning.
The local police had formed multiple teams to apprehend the suspects and had filed charges related to murder and criminal trespass.
Guruprasad Rane was a successful entrepreneur who resided in Ponda and owned three liquor distilleries. He was about to install another one in a few days.
Following the incident, Goa Police traced the assailants’ vehicle used in the crime somewhere in Poinguinim village in Canacona. The assailants, as per Canacona Police, fled, abandoning the vehicle, but Goa Police teams successfully apprehended both the accused in Mapusa.
It is also learned from Goa Police that Rane’s vehicle was found abandoned near Mandovi bridge. Sources from Kadra Police have said that Rane allegedly conspired with one of his managers in the entire alleged crime.