Team Herald
PANJIM: The mystery of Shanu Gaonkar going missing from Saleli village in 2006 and the allegations of BJP leader Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane’s role in killing him, made by Rane’s former driver, are being investigated by different teams of Goa Police officers. Police said there is no concrete evidence so far to register an offence against V K Rane.
Police have formed three teams, one headed by Superintendent of Police (North) Kasrthik Kashyap, another by Bicholim Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ramesh Gaonkar and a third by Valpoi Police Inspector Dipak Pednekar.
“We are verifying every allegation made by the witness who claims that Gaonkar was killed by VK Rane and all related sequences. All teams are working rigorously to uncover the truth behind the tale of the missing person,” A senior Goa Police officer said.
Police are still verifying the claim of witness Pandurang Arthalkar regarding the spot where the body was allegedly dumped in the Western Ghats section along the Goa-Karnataka border.
“We have recorded statements of over 20 witnesses and suspects so far, they will be called again for cross-examination whenever required,” a senior North Goa police officer said.
He said that a team is verifying all the technical aspects whereas two other teams are concentrating on field work.
VK Rane’s former driver had alleged in a video being circulated on social media that his employer had killed Gaonkar, who has been missing since 2006, in a bar owned by the son of a former minister.
Police have taken cognisance of the video confession and have commenced a fresh investigation in the case.
