Two convicted in Collem murder

It may be recalled that on October 28, 2013, Collem police had registered an offence against unknown persons in the murder of Sitaram alias Mama (60) of Collem. Sitaram was found murdered, with multiple injuries to his neck, chest and head, in the verandah of a dilapidated house of the South Western Railways near the Collem Railway station at Souzamol-Collem.

During investigations, Collem PI Jivba Dalvi learnt that the deceased was working as a painter in Collem area and used to sleep in the dilapidated house for some years. 

Two other persons, Suresh alias Surya Naik of Shigao-Collem and a native of Karnataka, and Suresh Mane of Karnataka, who were working as porters, had been moving along with Sitaram in the Collem market area. They too would sleep at times in the same dilapidated house at night.

Following the murder, the duo had disappeared from Collem and their whereabouts were not known. It was learnt that the duo had boarded a train at Collem Railway station and had proceeded towards Karnataka.

In the meantime, PI Dalvi received reliable information that the two accused were working in a roadside ‘dhaba’ at Jaisingpur-Kolhapur. Police immediately nabbed both the accused persons and brought them to Goa. The duo confessed to having committed the murder of Sitaram over a dispute regarding wages. 

The case was later charge sheeted and the accused were tried before the District & Additional Sessions Judge-III, Margao. Both the accused were convicted by the court on March 12.