Police need to keep people updated on the progress of the investigation from time to time. Apparently, robbery doesn't appear to the real motive in the Walke murder case
Two days after the gruesome murder of the Margao jeweller, the sensitive case is being handed over to the Crime Branch, sending out clear signals that there is more than what meets the eye. The failure of the Margao police in tracking down the culprits is evident. The Wednesday-Thursday midnight swoop-down by Crime Branch personnel on two of the accused in Panaji has dealt a further blow to the confidence of the Margao team. But that cannot be the sole reason to hand over the case to the Crime Branch. Shifting charge at such a quick pace only goes to suggest that this case is not about murder-to-rob but could be a maze involving big players.
Margao police have been facing flak for failing to respond quickly to the emergency. None of the Margao police personnel “ from the PSI to the District Chief and South Goa superintendent were ready to provide information on the headway made in the case even 48 hours after the gruesome murder. The hesitancy to even disclose the number of accused in police custody only meant that there was something wrong within the system. It was only on Friday evening that police came out with a statement that only two accused had been arrested.
In fact, even after a day the prime accused Mustafa Sheikh surrendered to the Margao police, apparently out of fear that there could be an 'encounter' on him, police haven't come out with any statement. Are we to believe that the police failed to get any answers from Mustafa? The police have recovered the gun, knife, CCTV footage, vehicle used by the assailants and even their clothes. The man central to the plot of shooting and stabbing Walke is in detention, but the motive hasn't come to light.
Understandably, this is a very sensitive case, and police may withhold information that could hamper the probe. But people of the State, more especially in Margao, are in a state of shock and fear. Their confidence in law enforcing agencies have been hit very badly, and the scars inflicted on the minds will take some time to heal. Police will have to play a very crucial role here. They need to keep people updated on the progress of the investigation from time to time. Apparently, robbery doesn't appear to the real motive in the Walke murder case, which is why there is reason to worry for not only jewellers but also other entrepreneurs who are running businesses without any security cover.
Two days after the spine-chilling crime, police are still groping in the dark and remain tightlipped. Despite having two prime accused in the net, the other two accused are still at large. Handing charge to the Crime Branch is a welcome decision. This case is not only about punishing those who are arrested, but also about bringing out the real story behind this dastardly act.
