Police scouring for leads in Dhargalim blind murder

Team Herald

PANJIM: The elderly couple that was brutally done to death three days ago was planning to donate a farm and around eight cows they owned, to a charity. Investigations in the blind double murder case, as police termed it, reveal that Reginald and Joyce Godinho had nearly finalized the donation of 5,000 sq mtrs of agricultural land at Dhargalim and the cows to a charitable organization. 

“The couple owned 50-60 cows a few years ago until the number reduced to 7-8 after which they took this decision,” a senior police officer told Herald. The couple ran a milk distribution business with over 18 employees working for them. 

Reginald and Joyce were widowed and re-married about 25 years ago and owned large properties at Dhargalim, Bastora and Colvale. Pernem police are now trying to ascertain details of these and other properties the couple may have owned.

“It is a blind case. We are looking into all possible angles that could lead to the killing. For now, we are not setting aside the enmity angle,” the officer said. 

The couple, between them from their previous marriages, had six children – two boys and four girls. All are settled abroad and are likely to be quizzed. “Some of the couple’s family members have come to Goa after learning of the murder while others are due to come in the next few days. All will be questioned,” the police officer said. Of the sons, one is settled in Dubai and the other in Canada. The couple did not have any child from this marriage, sources said.

Meanwhile, over 16 of the couple’s workers have been grilled in the past three days with former workers also under the scanner. Sources said some workers and a driver, who quit working in the milk distribution business, would soon be summoned for questioning.

Villagers have claimed that Reginald had earlier survived an attack, which was masterminded by some employees, who worked with the couple. The attackers had criminal antecedents, police said, raising strong suspicion they could have planned and executed the fatal attack too.

North Goa SP Umesh Gaonkar, when contacted did not rule out involvement of two assailants. “We suspect involvement of at least two attackers as from two koitas used in the attack, one was found in the bedroom and another in the garden,” he disclosed, adding the investigation is on the fast track.