Last week’s sensational murders of two Russian women in Goa — Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva — by fellow national Aleksei Leonov have exposed the dark underbelly of the party circuit once again while raising pointed questions about the checks on foreigners involved as professionals in the State, and the role of law enforcement and investigative protocols. Leonov is reported to have been working as a fire display performer in Goa, while Kasthanova was a dancer and worked as an usher at weddings, and Vaneeva was a ‘bubble performer’ at parties.
The 37-year-old Russian national was arrested for murdering two female compatriots in Morjim and Arambol, and in a shocking disclosure to the police, the accused allegedly confessed to killing five other women earlier. The pattern of killing both women was similar as their throats were slit with a sharp weapon, possibly a knife. The body of the second Russian woman, Vaneeva, was found in a partially decomposed state in her rented room in Madhlowado-Morjim.
In initial revelations, Leonov has pointed to a “monetary dispute” that led to the murders. There is also a theory that the accused has obsessive tendencies. Possibly, there is a drug angle that is emerging since the accused was suspected of being under the influence of drugs and has been travelling between Goa and Himachal. The question is whether Goa has safeguards in place. Are there enough checks and balances on foreigners? Is there a background check on those who fly into Goa as professionals? Or are we welcoming anyone and everyone to join the Goa party destination in the name of tourism?
This is a sensitive issue since foreigners are involved, but it is crucial for the state as well, because there are many foreigners who are engaged in showbiz — from dancers to singers and stage artists. Goa has reported around 168 cases of crimes committed by foreigners in recent times, against the 42 committed against them. From crimes, narcotics, financial frauds, immigration offences, cybercrimes, scams, and visa violations, foreigners have played a big part. There are Russians, Nigerians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Tanzanians, and Africans who are directly involved in crime and are facing charges.
Primarily, verification still remains a vexed issue. The question is whether there were records and details of all these Russians? Landlords renting apartments are required to comply with processes, as they did in the case of Leonov? Do authorities monitor the movements and engagements of foreigners in Goa, especially performers? For example, reports indicate that the Kazakhstan dancer who was performing while nightclub "Birch” at Arpora caught fire did not have a valid business visa or work permit. It came to light only after the tragedy that claimed 25 lives.
The police have a monumental task at hand — firstly, do a thorough psychological profiling of Leonov, connect the dots that lead to his social and business networks, and explore the trigger points that led to such drastic action. The one element that remains doubtful for now is the “monetary issue”.
While tracking foreign criminals is one side of the story, protecting vulnerable foreigners is the other, especially in a tourism hotspot like Goa. The murders of Kasthanova and Vaneeva will give the State a bad name, and it will also expose gaps in law enforcement. As the investigation progresses, a lot of questions will have to be answered, and these will start with the basic protocols for foreigners operating in Goa. Once again, this cannot be only about detection, but also about establishing stringent safeguards to ensure that the State remains a peaceful and cherished holiday venue.
