ELVINO ARAUJO
VASCO: Pratima Naik had planned to kill her mother-in-law Usha ten days before she actually did it. She kept postponing it as Neha, the elder daughter-in-law was always around. She finally killed them both on January 30.
Sources said Pratima bought 20 sleeping tablets from a pharmacy in Baina on two different occasions. “Pratima also bought a new SIM card through her brother-in-law, Abijit Korgaokar, to avoid being caught after committing the crime,” said the source.
Pratima had knowledge of medicine as she worked in a pharmacy in Vasco for a short period and she used this knowledge to execute the crime. “Since Pratima did not get a chance to kill her mother-in law, as both Neha and Usha were always together, she killed them both,” said the source.
On the fateful night Pratima, after administering the drug, strangulated Usha with a rope and smothered Neha to death.
Police sources said the Pratima case was a tough one to crack. “However, luck was with the police. On Monday, local investigating bureau police officer Prushotom Ballu Naik got information that the gold and cash which were stolen from the flat were with Pratima’s brother-in-law Abijit.”
Prushotom immediately informed Police Inspector Sagar Ekoskar about the detection of the gold and cash. Ekoskar directed him to apprehend Abijit and seize the gold. When Pratima, who was being interrogated by Ekoskar, realised that her game was over, she spilled the beans on how she alone had committed the double murder.
Meanwhile, Vasco police on Friday recorded the statements of Siddharth and Pravin Naik, the sons of Usha. It is also learnt that both the brothers have identified the gold ornaments that were stolen from the flat, while Pravin identified the rope which was used to strangulate his mother and informed police that the rope was in the flat prior to the murder.
Ekoskar refused to comment and said the case was still under investigation. “As and when any new revelation comes to light, I will inform my superiors, who in turn will share the information with the media,” Ekoskar said.
