PONDA: Sujata Gokuldas Naik (19) from Mahalwada, Marcaim was shot dead allegedly by Nikhilkumar (19) resident of Loutolim but originally from Jharkhand.
According to sources, Nikhilkumar trespassed into Naik’s house at around 7pm on Thursday, threatened the female members and children present including the girl’s mother. He argued with them at gunpoint and then tried to fire the gun. The girl’s mother tried to prevent him from firing it, however, he overpowered her. The first shot missed the girl while the second shot hit her on the chest killing her instantly.
He made an attempt to commit suicide in the girl’s house by firing the third shot on himself. He shot himself on the stomach and then went inside a room. The Naik family members latched the door from outside and informed the police. Nikhilkumar was admitted to Ponda Sub-district Hospital and later shifted to Goa Medical College.
The exact motive for the killing and attempted suicide is not yet known. It is learnt that accused and the victim were known to each other.
Sources said that Nikhilkumar’s father works as a security guard, and he brought his father’s service gun.
The girl was studying at the Government College at Khandola in first year BA. It is learnt that she is the only daughter of her parents and her father was not at home when the murder took place. Police are yet to determine the motive behind the murder and are investigating whether it was a love affair or any other matter or even a one-sided love.
The incident has shocked residents of Ladewada, Karanjalem and Marcaim. It has brought back memories of an earlier killing, wherein a young girl returning home after work at Marcaim Industrial Estate was shot by unknown persons some years back.
