Team Herald
PANJIM: The Old Goa Police have booked unidentified persons for chasing Bashudev Bhandari who was feared drowned after the car he was driving slipped into the river from the ferry wharf at St Estevam on the Marcela side.
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According to police, Balram Bhandari, brother of Bashudev Bhandari, native of Bharuch, Gujarat, stated in his complaint that on September 1, prior to 1.40 am at the Ferry Point at St Estevam, the accused persons with their four wheeler chased Bashudev and his friend. When they (Bashudev and his friend) reached the ferry point, they did not have the option to reverse their car as it was blocked by the vehicle which was chasing them. Hence, out of fear, Bashudev drove his car towards the left side of the ferry ramp due to which it plunged into the river.
Though, Bashudev’s friend, who is a student of Goa Institute of Management (Sanquelim), managed to escape from waters, Bashudev went missing. Balram Bhandari has also mentioned in the complaint that those who chased his brother and his friend had also threatened with dire consequences to kill them. Several personal belongings, including Bhandari’s pants, a laptop, and two to three bags were recovered from the car.
The incident has sent shockwaves across Goa, with citizens raising concerns about safety and the mysterious circumstances that led to the incident. A team of 20 personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) led by Assistant Divisional Officer Ajit Kamat were involved in the rescue operation after the incident took place and managed to retrieve the vehicle with the help of a crane.
An offence under sections 351 (3), 126(2), read with, 3(5) of BNS 2023 has been registered and investigation is in progress, police said.
