From heroine to villain...
MAPUSA
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday, the tranquil setting of the Anjuna Police Station was shattered by the sounds of frustration and anger.
Prinsha Pradeep Agarwadekar, in a fit of desperation, banged the tables and shouted at the officers on duty.
Her pleas were urgent and heartfelt: her residential house in Assagao was being unlawfully demolished, and the authorities had failed to act swiftly.
This incident sparked a massive wave of support across Goa.
The Agarwadekar family, victims of a powerful outsider's actions, became the centre of a public outcry.
Politicians, social workers, activists and concerned citizens from all walks of life converged on Assagao, offering moral support and demanding justice.
However, this tide of sympathy was short-lived.
By Wednesday night, Prinsha Agarwadekar had issued a statement that flipped the narrative on its head.
She revealed that an emissary of Pooja Sharma, the alleged prime accused in the demolition, had reached out with an unexpected offer: to rebuild the house.
"Pooja Sharma has apologised for what happened," Agarwadekar stated.
"She said she was not properly informed about people living in the house. She has children like me. So, on humanitarian grounds, I have decided to withdraw the complaint."
The abrupt reversal left many Goans stunned and disillusioned. Speculations about a behind-the-scenes deal, possibly involving substantial financial compensation, ran rampant.
Desmond Alvares, a resident of Assagao, voiced the frustration of many: "These Agarwadekars are not even owners nor tenants but squatters in someone’s property. Why are politicians and all running to her rescue? This is nothing but a high profile drama."
Others echoed his sentiment. Rajendra Naik, a close neighbour, criticised the Agarwadekars for succumbing to pressure.
"They received so much love and support from the entire Goa in their hour of need. The sudden decision to support the accused is a big blow to the trust of the Goans who supported them. This is just not acceptable," Naik said.
Sources indicated that a foreigner had initially resided in the house and later allowed the Agarwadekars to stay as caretakers.
Social worker Tara Kerkar suggested that the decision to withdraw the complaint must have been made under immense pressure.
"I suspect a political hand in the decision of the Agarwadekars to withdraw from the case," she opined.
Roshan Mathias of Candolim supported this theory, smelling political maneuvering in the background.
"Any property deals happen with the active participation of politicians. This Assagao deal must have also happened through connivance of some politicians who were TCP ministers in the past," he stated.
Rahul Mhambre, a former AAP chief and social worker, took a more empathetic stance, understanding the complexities the family might have faced.
"There are a lot of pressures at work from all sides and one cannot expect an ordinary family to withstand those pressures and even threats. But the state machinery must investigate the crime and unearth the malice in the system," Mhambre said.
