PANAJI
In a twist straight out of a Bollywood movie, the now-dismissed IRB constable Amit Naik, who orchestrated the jailbreak for land fraud accused Siddiqui, alias Suleman Khan, ended up being conned by the very man he helped escape.
Naik allegedly struck a deal with Suleman, promising him a safe passage in exchange for Rs 3 crore. But the plan, hatched for over a week, unravelled in a way Naik could never have foreseen.
CCTV footage showed the two escaping from the Crime Branch lock-up at Ribandar between 2:20 am and 2:31 am on Friday, on a motorbike towards Panaji.
Sources told The Goan that while Goa police launched an extensive search within and outside Goa soon thereafter, Suleman had other plans.
Naik’s fortunes took a sharp turn by late evening when he realized he was double-crossed. Suleman allegedly arranged a separate getaway for himself, slipping into a waiting white car and leaving Naik behind in Hubbali, Karnataka.
Sources stated the conman did not intend to give away Rs 3 crore. Stranded and with no place to hide, Naik surrendered at Old Hubbali police station, reportedly admitting his role in the escape. He has been remanded to four days police custody.
However, this version as allegedly confessed by Naik is under investigation. “We cannot take his words seriously, especially when his involvement in the audacious escape plan is evident. It will be investigated,” a senior HQ officer said.
North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal, when contacted by The Goan, confirmed a coordinated operation between Goa and Hubbali police. “When we received information that a man claiming to be a policeman appeared at Old Hubbali police station, our team acted immediately. His identity was confirmed and all formalities were completed to bring him back to Goa (on Saturday),” Kaushal said.
“Two of my senior officers, who had been monitoring the CCTV footage and had reached Belgaum, were redirected to Hubbali to identify the person (Naik) and take him into custody.”
However, when asked about the alleged deal between Suleman and Naik and other specifics of the investigation by Old Goa police, Kaushal remained tight-lipped. “Our priority is to arrest Suleman. The team is leaving no stone unturned,” he replied.
