MARGAO: Mardol police arrested police head constable Sameer Fadte, 46, IRB constable Mitesh Gaad, 27, and four others on Tuesday afternoon in connection with the assault on restaurateur Viraj Mashelkar at Marcel on Sunday night. Another cop accused in the assault, Akash Navelkar, 27, a constable with the anti-narcotics cell, has been issued a notice under section 41-A for cooperating with the police in the arrest of the suspects. The three policemen were suspended late on Monday night as per an order issued by SP Bossuet Silva.
It has also come to light that Mashelkar had filed seven complaints against Fadte for bullying and harassment at Ponda as well Mardol police stations, but no action was taken.
Fadte had also been suspended in March 2022 for a similar case at the Old Goa police station.
The four others arrested for the assault are Mohit Gaad, 26, Supresh Savardekar, Vivek Desai, 23, and Asmit Salunkhe, 27.
The attack, led by head constable Sameer Fadte, occurred on Sunday night at Mashelkar’s fast-food restaurant. Although the accused fled the scene, the entire incident was captured by the restaurant’s CCTV camera.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mardol police arrested the six individuals after detaining one of the accused, Akash Navelkar, who cooperated with the investigation on Monday. Navelkar was issued a notice under Section 41-A, as he fully assisted the police.
PSI Sushant Sangodkar is further investigating the case under the guidance of PI Raghoba Kamat.
According to police sources, main accused Sameer Fadte had used his influence and political connections to try to pacify the victim, Viraj Mashelkar. Despite political pressure, Mashelkar filed a formal police complaint at Mardol police station on Monday afternoon.
A khaki-clad hooligan?
A complaint accusing Fadte of beating up a scrapyard owner at Merces was filed on March 6, 2022, at the Old Goa police station. Complainant Vasu Naik was beaten up after being summoned to the police station on the pretext of an inquiry. Fadte had also raised his hand on the police official present who tried to intervene. Goa Police Head Quarters had then suspended Fadte.
