PANJIM: The Crime Branch (CB) may have taken over the probe in the horrific Banastarim accident by seizing the airbags of the killer Mercedes SUV and the vehicle’s front portion, but the men in uniform face an uphill task as they now face several challenges, be it in collecting incriminating evidence, filing a chargesheet and finally ensuring conviction in the high-profile case.
First and foremost, it is learnt that the event data recorder on board this 2016 Mercedes SUV lacks the facility to record the speed at which the vehicle was driven when it crashed.
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Information with O Heraldo suggests that the air bags of the car have been recovered and will be combed to see if there are traces of blood or other material, which will crucial for further forensic investigation.
Parts of the front portion of the car will also be studied closely for possible clues.
SP Crime Branch Nidhin Valsan confirmed that the crucial evidence has been collected from the car. He informed that the Crime Branch will seek more time for filing their say in the matter when the bail application comes up for hearing in the High Court.
Another vital challenge before the Crime Branch is finding incriminating evidence to ensure the filing of a chargesheet and convicting the culprit involved in the horrific accident.
Since the accident occurred on August 6, the investigation, earlier under the Mardol Police Station has lost two weeks including the golden first week in collecting vital evidence and this could prove to be a crucial factor in securing a conviction.
The initial revelation of facts of the Banastarim accident has raised several questions before the public. Now, the Crime Branch will be in the line of fire as they are literally inheriting a legacy of facts and counter facts of this high-profile case.
Ever since the investigation began, the role of Mardol Police has been questioned over the disputed theories regarding the driver of the killer Mercedes. The Crime Branch will now have to establish the fact as to who was driving the vehicle, which will make or break the case.
As far as the role of Meghana Sawardekar is concerned in the accident there have been distorting theories and statements made so far.
The Crime Branch will have to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the case is brought to its logical conclusion with punishment to the accused.
On Friday, the accident case was transferred from Mardol Police Station to the Crime Branch for further investigation. The Crime Branch investigation team headed by DySP Suraj Halarnkar along with PI Narayan Chimulkar, which has been formed to probe the accident case, has been asked to prepare a fortnightly progress report and submit the same to the Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Nidhin Valsan.
Highly placed sources informed that the team has started collecting evidence and the airbag from the driver’s side having blood stains, has been taken as evidence.
