MAPUSA
Stating that high-profile murder cases are bad for Goa’s tourism, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Friday said that the BJP leader Sonali Phogat’s murder case should be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to dig into a deeper conspiracy angle.Lobo also said that the Haryana government should take responsibility and give it to the CBI for investigation.
He said the case was not as simple as the Goa Police was trying to make out and that there was much more than just property matter as a motive for the murder.
“The CBI should take over the inquiry. I agree with the Haryana CM, Manohar Lal Katar, who said that he is ready for a CBI inquiry in the matter. The Haryana CM should ask for it. The incident may have happened in Anjuna but the real story is in Haryana,” Lobo said, while addressing the media at his residence in Parra.
He said it was a well-planned murder and although the Goa Police has arrested two persons the real culprits have to be brought to book.
“There is a need to know who else were involved besides the arrested two and why they wanted to kill her. It cannot be handled by the Goa Police. CBI will do a thorough job,” he said.
The BJP leader and actress Sonali Phogat died while being rushed to a private hospital in Anjuna early Tuesday morning. Initially, police said that she died of heart attack but after her brother lodged a complaint suspecting murder and the consequent autopsy report revealed use of blunt force on her body, a murder case was registered at Anjuna Police.
Two of her associates were arrested on Friday.
The Calangute MLA said that such incidents bring a bad name for the State of Goa which is known the world over for tourism.
“There are many such high-profile murder cases happening in Goa. Police undertake investigation… then people forget and the investigation also stops. Such cases need to be investigated deeply for the truth to come up and therefore an impartial inquiry is necessary,” he said.
‘Police botched up Siddhi Naik case’
MAPUSA: While stressing on the need for Goa police to be proactive in handling important cases, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that the Siddhi Naik case which made headlines last year was also not handled properly and there was a need to re-examine the case.
“The investigation in the Siddhi Naik case was not done properly. The death of the girl took place in mysterious circumstances. There is a need to look into the case with a fresh perspective,” Lobo told The Goan.
The death of 19-year-old Siddhi Naik from Nachinola had rocked the State after her semi-clad body was found in mysterious circumstances on the Calangute beach.
Goa Police initially ruled out foul play in the teen’s death but later registered the case as murder after coming under public pressure.
Recently, Police filed a closure report in the case for lack of evidence.
