PANAJI
Amid the hullabaloo over the Assagao house demolition case, the Crime Branch made three more arrests on Friday.
Female bouncers Shaheen Saudagar (38) and Shalan Kallappa Morekar (42), both residents of Candolim, and Bismilla Gorgundagi (44) from Nerul, who were present at the demolition site along with the other accused, have been taken into custody for investigation.
Addressing a press conference at the Crime Branch office in Ribandar, SP Rahul Gupta stated that five of the six persons arrested in the case were present on the spot while the sixth accused Arshad Khawaja conspired with the main accused and shared his vehicle for committing the offence.
“We have seized two vehicles that were used in the commission of the offence. It is seen in the video. The investigation is ongoing. We are committed to ensuring free, fair, and swift justice in this case,” he said allaying apprehension on the impartial probe against the backdrop of allegations against DGP Jaspal Singh.
Of the six arrests, two were made by the Anjuna police before the case was transferred to the Crime Branch. Operator Pradeep Rana has since been granted bail.
The Crime Branch also issued fresh summons to Pooja Sharma asking her to appear before the SIT on July 1. For over three days, Goa Police had been camping in Mumbai to trace her whereabouts.
Sources said the SIT has prepared a set of questions including whether she gave instructions to demolish the house at Assagao and if the bouncers were hired by her. Although the accused and Agarwadekar have now allegedly come to terms over the issue, the CB said the investigation will continue even as they are examining the affidavit of compromise between the two parties.
The Agarwadekar family's statement was recorded on Thursday, and they are likely to be summoned by CB again for a supplementary statement under section 161 CrPC.
