MAPUSA
The investigation into the Porvorim shooting involving Majestic Pride Group director Shrinivas Nayak has been handed over to the Crime Branch, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday.
The decision came three days after two unidentified gunmen allegedly opened fire at Nayak outside a hotel in Porvorim, with the incident triggering sharp criticism from the Opposition over the State’s law-and-order situation.
Sawant made the announcement while responding to an adjournment motion moved by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, who had sought a discussion on what he described as the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the State.
The Chief Minister said the case had been transferred to the Crime Branch earlier in the day and expressed confidence that the accused would be arrested.
The shooting occurred on Friday evening when Nayak was reportedly leaving the hotel at around 8.45 pm.
The incident assumed added significance as the shooting took place in the vicinity of the Goa Legislative Assembly complex and the Porvorim police station, prompting questions from the Opposition over the security situation in the area.
Police had registered an attempt-to-murder case against unidentified persons under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
A possible business rivalry has emerged as one of the lines of investigation, with police sources reportedly examining whether the attack was linked to a dispute concerning business interests.
However, the motive has not been officially established and no individual has been named as a suspect so far.
The shooting had already come under political scrutiny, with Sardesai demanding that the specialised agency take over the investigation and questioning the government over the ability of the police to prevent such an attack in an area located close to the State’s principal seat of government.
