PANJIM: It’s been over a week since allegations made by the former driver of BJP’s Poriem candidate Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane surfaced regarding the killing of Shanu Gaonkar in 2006, but Valpoi Police – hindered by the lack of material evidence – are still far from in a position if making any arrest.
Pandurang Arthalkar, who was employed as Rane’s driver in 2006 barely a few days before the alleged crime, opened up on the alleged incident after 11 years. The police, sources said, have no evidence other than a video wherein Arthalkar is seen narrating in detail how VK Rane allegedly executed the murder plan.
Despite this video, which has gone viral on social media, the police are apparently not in any hurry to take the BJP leader into custody. “The video is not foolproof evidence that Rane has committed the murder. We are inquiring into the incident, it is a mammoth task as the case is more than a decade old. No action can be taken in haste,” one of the investigating officers told Herald.
Valpoi police, that had earlier investigated Gaonkar’s disappearance as a missing person’s case, had closed the file in the absence of any evidence or tip-off to trace Gaonkar’s whereabouts. After the video surfaced, shocking the political fraternity in the State, the officer claims they are taking all precautions before jumping to any conclusions.
Already 25 witnesses, including VK Rane’s brother-in-law and former Home Minister Venkatesh ‘Bandu’ Desai’s son Prashant, have been interrogated. An interesting twist to the episode is that the whistleblower was detained after the expose.
VK Rane, who was pitted against Congress’ Pratapsingh Rane in Poriem this election, is likely to appear for questioning on Saturday.
The incident dates back to December 28, 2005 when Rane’s brother Prithviraj was hacked to death near his work place over a property issue. As per the case details, around six to seven persons attacked him, while he was giving final touches to a ceremony to inaugurate a second stone crusher.
“The Ranes had installed the first stone crusher in 1994 on a hillock which had a cashew plantation, nuts of which were collected by the villagers. The crushers were allegedly located in the property of the Ranes who had large land holdings,” a police source said.
Certain moves by the landlord were opposed by the villagers who later resorted to violence, attacking Prithviraj. It is learnt that Shanu’s brother was amongst this group of villagers. The police had made arrests in the case, who were later acquitted of all charges.
The present murder investigation is being linked to Prithviraj’s killing, in a bid to get a breakthrough. “Shanu’s murder could have links with the 2005 killing. We are ascertaining all the facts before taking a final call. All this is at investigation stage,” the officer said.
