The controversial death of Merces Panch Prakash Naik has not only left many questions unanswered but has also brought the entire investigation process under a cloud of suspicion. Naik was found shot dead at his residence at Voilem Bhat, Merces, sending shock waves across the village. But surprisingly, it took a couple of days for police to move out of their slumber. The reluctance of the men-in-uniform is showing because, despite a clear case of unnatural death where the accused were named, the police waited for a formal complaint to be lodged to proceed.
According to the sequence of events, Naik reportedly texted his friends and associates on a Whatsapp group, which also included his sister, that he is ending his life due to the blackmailing and harassment meted out by Wilson Godinho and Tahir over property issues. One of the accused is a well-known and strongly-connected real-estate dealer. It is also established that he has vast stakes in properties at Voilem Bhatt, an area where Naik’s involvement is suspected. By taking cognizance of Naik’s message, the police should have immediately summoned both the accused for questioning. Further, Godinho and Tahir did not turn up before the police to claim their innocence, and at this point, it was a fit case for police to swing into action. However, the cops consciously ignored the prime suspects and went about questioning other persons linked to the family, which included the gardener and the maid.
It’s clear as daylight that the police are being influenced. Despite an FIR registered on Sunday in which both the accused are booked under Section 306 of IPC (abetment of suicide), there are still no moves to summon the accused for questioning, leave alone taking them into custody. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance to the people of a fair probe appears to be only aimed at calming frayed tempers of locals. On the ground there is complete lack of urgency showed in the investigation and the accused are given the benefit of time to move for anticipatory bail.
It is to be seen how the police reply to the anticipatory bail plea before the court. The police will be tested for their seriousness in taking this case forward. It’s also to be seen if the police are seeking custodial interrogation and basis on which they are building their claim.
Naik’s death case exposes the dark underbelly of a system which works in complete collusion with the powers that be. It gives us a glimpse of the powerful nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, land lobbies and agents, and how ruthless and barbaric their dealings can turn out to be. The police force cannot stand as a facilitator to players in shady deals. It will have a telling effect on the ordinary citizens, and the needle of suspicion will point towards the men-in-unform of being partners in crime.
