PANAJI
As the search for missing youth Bashudev Bhandari continues without success, concerns are growing over the handling of the investigation, particularly the 13-hour delay in informing his family about the accident.
Bhandari’s family, from Gujarat, however remains hopeful that the police will crack the case. Speaking to The Goan on Wednesday, his father, Narayan Bhandari stated that they have provided the name of a suspect to the police while indicating in the current circumstances they have no option but to have faith in the police.
“We have given the suspect’s name to the police. If Bashudev is not in the water, where is he? Who knows more about his whereabouts? We still hope that the police will find Bashudev. They are making efforts,” Narayan said, replying to a query whether the family would insist on thorough interrogation of the 22-year-old girlfriend.
He was last seen with his girlfriend on August 31 night and went missing after their rental car plunged into the St Estevam river. Initially suspected to be a case of road rage, the girl told police she swam to safety and claimed that Bashudev also escaped. Two suspects from Hubli questioned thereafter also failed to give the police any lead.
Bashudev’s family has raised suspicions about the girl – a student of management in Sanquelim – referring to CCTV footage showing Bashudev, the girl and two others allegedly drinking alcohol at a restaurant before the late-night outing.
Narayan revealed about the police’s delayed communication, stating that his family was informed of the incident 13 hours after it occurred. “The police possibly got our number from one of his friends, who left Goa on the night of August 31,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of approaching higher authorities, Narayan revealed that they already met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who expressed concern over the delay in search efforts. The father, claiming to stay back in Goa till “justice is met” added the family is still placing its trust in the police investigation.
