Team Herald
PANJIM: In a dramatic turn of events, videos of land grabbing accused Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, who is still on the run, after being aided by IRBn police constable Amit Naik to break free from the Crime Branch lockup, surfaced on Sunday, where he alleged that two teams of police escorted him out of the State and accused Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta and others of assaulting him in custody in Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza’s presence.
Congress leader Sunil Kawthankar shared a video purportedly featuring escaped fugitive Siddiqui alias Suleiman Khan, who alleged he did not escape from the lockup on his own, but was escorted out of the State by two teams of Goa police.
Kauthankar stated that a pen drive containing Suleman’s video was sent to AAP Goa President Amit Palekar’s residence.
According to Kawthankar, Suleiman named Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza and SP Crime Branch Rahul Gupta in the video. In the video Suleiman is seen as saying that he is ready to surrender if the case is handed over to CBI for investigation.
“Suleiman has alleged that he was assaulted, threatened with an encounter by Goa Police, and pressured to transfer properties into other people’s names,” Kauthankar added.
Kawthankar demanded protection for former IRBn constable Amit Naik, who attempted suicide while in police custody, claiming there is a threat to his life.
Kawthankar alleged that the land grabbing case is turning into BJP politicians, police and land mafia nexus otherwise it was not possible that someone would escape from the custody of Crime Branch.
“It is a state-sponsored scam,” he said.
He also questioned how Amit Naik got access to phenyl and demanded that it must be investigated whether he tried to commit suicide or there was an attempt to kill him.
Dy Speaker, Crime Branch, Old Goa
police officials may kill me: Siddiqui
Fugitive Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan in a video which went viral on social media, said he feared that Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza, Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, and Crime Branch and Old Goa Police officials may kill him as they are influential people.
“Nobody is my enemy in the country. I have purchased my properties on my own. I have fear of Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza, Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, and officials of Crime Branch and Old Goa Police Station. They may kill me as they are big people. They are misusing my name. I am begging that the case be given to the CBI. I have not escaped from custody. They themselves have dropped me at Hubballi.
If the case is handed over to the CBI, I am ready to surrender. A team of 12 police personnel came to drop me at Hubli. SP Rahul Gupta, DySP Suraj Halarnkar, some PSI, some constables of SIT and two constables of IRB beat me up in the office of Rahul Gupta in the presence of Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza and an IGP. I was unable to walk. Joshua D’Souza claimed that his father had purchased the properties in my name and was asking me to transfer those properties in his name."
DGP: Video released to deflect police
attention from tracking fugitive
PANJIM: Reacting to the video, Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar said the video has been released to deflect the attention of the Goa Police from the efforts to track Siddiqui.
“A video has appeared purportedly of Suleman Siddiqui alleging Crime Branch officials. Seems allegations have been made to deflect the attention of the Goa Police from the efforts to track him. Our efforts to track him early will continue. This seems to be the trick of a hardened and clever criminal. Our investigations so far have not indicated connivance of any police personnel except Constable Amit Naik," the DGP said.
Dismissed IRBn cop ‘consumes’ phenyl in lockup, but stable
Team Herald
PANJIM: Close to 72 hours after aiding land grab accused Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan to break free from the Crime Branch lockup, suspect Amit Naik, an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) police constable, who has been dismissed from police service, allegedly tried to commit suicide by consuming phenyl on Sunday.
According to sources, the incident occurred at around 8 am at the Ribandar Police Post of Old Goa Police Station.
According to sources, Amit pretended to go to the restroom and while on his way, he took a bottle of phenyl from a lady, who was cleaning the floors and consumed it.
However, as soon as the police personnel present at the outpost came to know about the incident, they took Amit to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim for medical examination.
Confirming the incident, North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal in a statement, said, “Today morning, accused Amit Naik tried to consume toilet cleaning liquid. At that instance, the police personnel stopped him from doing so. Subsequently, he was sent to GMC (Goa Medical College and Hospital), Bambolim, for medical examination, wherein, he is at present under observation. His condition is said to be stable.”
Kaushal said a detailed report has been sought from the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Panjim.
It is pertinent to note that it’s been nearly 72 hours, since the great escape of Siddique alias Suleman Khan, the land grabbing accused remains elusive.
With the police top brass remaining tight-lipped over the incident, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that detailed investigation is in progress.
“Crime Branch has arrested the police constable. The services of the constable, who hatched conspiracy, have been terminated. We will not tolerate this. The Crime Branch will arrest Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan very soon,” he said, during a press conference held at his official residence at Altinho. When he was asked about having access to phenyl, the Chief Minister said, “Investigation is in progress.”
Meanwhile, A high-level meeting of police officials was held on Sunday afternoon to discuss the great escape episode which has left the Goa Police with an egg on their face.
Instructions were given to the police officials during the meeting which was held under the leadership of Director General of Police Alok Kumar.
Siddiqui, wanted in three cases of land grabbing and a proclaimed Offender in two cases of North Goa, was arrested by SIT on November 12. He had been absconding for the past four-and-a-half years. He was lodged in the Crime Branch lockup for his involvement in land grabbing cases.