PANAJI: Goa Police have recovered most of the stolen valuables in the Baina house dacoity case, including gold, silver, and cash worth an estimated Rs 35 lakh. While the six accused have been arrested, police refrained from disclosing how they tracked the suspects, saying revealing operational details could alert criminals and compromise future investigations. One more suspect remains at large, and efforts to apprehend him continue.
Speaking at a press briefing today, DGP Alok Kumar said, “After the dacoity occurred, the Goa Police immediately constituted multiple teams. The DIG Range camped at the police station itself while the IG closely supervised. Updates were continuously taken at my level, and even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took updates almost every day. We treated this case as a challenge and investigated every lead.”
All six accused were brought to Vasco Police Station today. The suspects, originally from Odisha, were traced to the Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Badlapur belt in Maharashtra. DGP Kumar added that the probe involved CCTV analysis, intelligence gathering on nearby criminal elements, technical surveillance, and tracing the source of housebreaking tools and a mask used in the crime. “This is the result of a very good, dedicated, 24/7 investigation.”
The DGP confirmed that recovered valuables will be legally linked to the case and tallied with the victim family. SP South Tikam Singh Verma said one of the arrested had previously worked for the victim family as a helper. His verification had not been done, and while employed, he gathered information about house entry routes and the location of valuables, which formed the basis of the crime. “Due to darkness during the incident, the family could not identify him,” Verma added.
Kumar urged citizens to verify tenants and employees, saying, “Even if an employee or tenant has no known criminal history, sharing photos, IDs, mobile numbers, and addresses acts as a deterrent and helps police work. There should not be a single unverified tenant or employee in Goa. That must be our shared goal.” He also advised the media against probing operational methods in detail, warning that it could alert criminals.
On the Mapusa and Dona Paula cases, DGP Kumar said there is no link with the Baina dacoity. “Those two incidents have a connection between themselves. Further details will be shared once more arrests are made.” An accused earlier arrested for harbouring an informer is currently in judicial custody.
Regarding the Saligao double murder, the DGP said, “The suspect is identified. Verification of his criminal antecedents and interrogation are ongoing. Updates will follow.” He dismissed reports linking a local vendor to the crime as false.
SP North Harishchandra Madkaikar provided updates on other investigations, including the arrest of Lokesh Sutar from Maharashtra, linked to over 25 crimes, and recovery of a stolen car. In Panaji, six stolen motorbikes were recovered from another 27-year-old accused, currently on remand, with investigations ongoing for possible wider links.
DGP Kumar also highlighted the ongoing campaign against unauthorized foreigners, noting that over 30 Bangladeshi nationals have been deported this year, significantly higher than in previous years, emphasizing continued vigilance against short-stay visitors involved in criminal activity.
