the goan I network
OLD GOA
Two weeks after former Merces sarpanch and sitting panch Prakash Naik was found dead from a gun shot at his residence at Voilem Bhat, Merces, the State government has handed over investigations to the Crime Branch.
The death of Naik on January 17 had shocked relatives and supporters across St Cruz constituency, where he had unsuccessfully contested the assembly elections in 2017.
They had suspected foul play in the death and the booking of two persons, including Wilson Godinho, brother of Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, by the Old Goa police on charges of abetment to suicide. This had further fuelled demands by family members for an impartial and through investigation.
Strongly suspecting that their brother had not committed suicide, but had been killed, Prakash Naik’s siblings, Vinay Naik and Sarita Govekar, said the family felt there were many lapses in the investigation.
While demanding the arrest of both suspects, family members also wanted the case to be handed over to the Crime Branch for an impartial investigation.
When contacted Prakash Naik’s son, Pritesh, told ‘The Goan’ that the family had not been informed about the latest development.
Asked to comment on the case being handed over to the Crime Branch, Pritesh said: “We are unaware of the development.”
“A few days back, the police came to our house and told us that they have got the call details of my father and they were investigating the persons who were on the call list,” he added.
