PANAJI: A violent altercation at a Panaji-based casino turned deadly in the early hours of Thursday, claiming the life of one security guard and injuring another. The Panaji police have arrested a 25-year-old man from Hyderabad, Abdul Altaf, in connection with the incident.
According to North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, the brawl broke out around 3:10 am when the accused used a wooden rod with an iron clamp, reportedly taken from a nearby staircase, to assault multiple security personnel after an alleged argument.
“One of the guards, Dheeru Sharma, aged 33 and a native of Satna, Madhya Pradesh, succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to Goa Medical College,” SP Gupta said. “Another guard, Satyam Gaonkar, 27, a resident of Shiroda in Goa, sustained a serious head injury.”
The accused, identified as Abdul Altaf of Misri Ganj, Charminar in Hyderabad, was apprehended by Panaji police while he was attempting to flee to the Dabolim Airport.
“Altaf is a known history-sheeter registered at the Mailardevpally police station in Hyderabad. He was arrested while trying to evade police custody,” SP Gupta added.
A case has been registered and the forensic team has conducted an examination at the crime scene. Police said the exact motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
