PANAJI
The Crime Branch (CB) arrested three persons in the firing incident at Casino Majestic that narrowly missed casino Director Srinivas Nayak and his security guard.
The three suspects, two from Maharashtra and one from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested from different locations. The motive behind the August 28 shooting is still unclear, with the accused currently being interrogated to determine their individual roles and whether others were involved.
The accused have been identified as Qazu Sheikh, 28, of Mumbai, who was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh with the assistance of Jaunpur Police; Israr Ali, 25, of Uttar Pradesh, who was arrested in Mumbai; and Suraj Acharya, 36, of Mumbai, who was also taken into custody in the city.
The CB said that their interrogation is now focused on establishing their respective roles, the circumstances that led to the shooting and the motive behind targeting Nayak. “Whether any other persons were involved in planning or executing the attack is also being investigated,” it said.
The arrests come less than two weeks after the brazen shooting outside the Hotel Neo Majestic, Porvorim, where the exchange of gunfire unfolded as guests and hotel staff were present nearby. The CCTV footage that later went viral showed two armed men allegedly opening fire at Nayak while he was stepping into his car at the entrance. Three rounds were fired at close range while Nayak’s security personnel retaliated with three shots, following which the assailants fled towards the highway. Nayak and his security guard escaped unhurt. The police then stated that the assailants waited near the parking area for about an hour before moving towards Nayak as he reached his car. The breakthrough came as the CB, assisted by North District police teams, conducted an extensive examination of CCTV footage from the hotel and surrounding areas, besides carrying out technical analysis and gathering other investigative inputs.
“The investigating team examined Nayak, his security guard and other witnesses who were present at or near the scene. Their statements were subsequently corroborated with CCTV footage, technical evidence and other material gathered during the probe,” the CB said.
