Agassaim police zeroed in on Salim Dodmani, a resident of Aquem in Margao of plotting the attack on Shaikh. Agassaim police inspector Jivba Dalvi said Dodmani had established contact with Shaikh to save his transport business, which was on a decline. The ‘magic ritual’ did not yield results and Shaikh confessed the business dropped even further.
“He then plotted the attack involving his accomplices Jaffer Andgli and Manjunath Naik. On June 11, Dodmani called Shaikh on the phone requesting him to perform a ritual for quick result followed by dinner. He took him to an isolated spot where the two other men were already waiting. They attacked Shaikh,” he said.
The call details helped police nail the prime accused, whose confession resulted in the other two arrests. “He lost Rs 12,000 he had paid to Shaikh and also loss in the business. This triggered the revenge,” Dalvi said, quoting from Dodmani’s confession.
The police have recovered the bikes involved in the crime, a mobile hand set with SIM card, iron rod to attack the complainant and handkerchiefs used to cover the faces.
