Weapons recovered, 6 vehicles seized; police tracked accused across Goa and Belagavi
MARGAO
Even as the number of arrests in the gang war on the Margao-Colva road rose to 19 on Saturday, the Goa police has for the first time acknowledged that the motive behind the murderous assault on the rival group in the wee hours of Tuesday was linked to ongoing “gang rivalry” involving past assault by each other.
While the police provided the names of 18 accused persons arrested in the case, the Fatorda police brought another accused late Saturday. The accused arrested in the case as on Saturday includes Imran Bepari, a resident of Santa Cruz and Akshay Talwar, a resident of Talsanzor.
Superintendent of Police, South Tikam Singh Verma told the media that the number of persons arrested in the case have gone up to 19 on Saturday, including two persons who had helped the accused with accommodation in Belagavi.
Flanked by Margao Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Margao DySP Sidhant Shirodkar, Fatorda police station in-charge, P Nathan Almeida, PI Margao Suraj Samant, and Maina-Curtorim PI Arun Desai, SP Tikam Singh Verma said police investigation is underway to nab the remaining accused, directly or indirectly connected to the case.
He informed that as many as six vehicles including Thar, Baleno, Fronx, Duster, Suzuki XL-6 used in the crime have been attached. He further said that weapons used in the attack have been identified and recovered.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the motive was linked to ongoing gang rivalry involving past assaults by each other,” he told the media.
Saying the accused were tracking the complainant from Club Margarita, Colva before following him, and intercepting his vehicle with intent to eliminate him and his associates, the district police chief said some of accused were arrested in Goa, while others who had fled were tracked and arrested outside the State. Accused have been remanded for five days police custody.
“This was a complex and high-risk case involving multiple accused and coordinated efforts across jurisdictions. The swift and professional response of the South Goa Police ensured the safety of citizens, prevented potential retaliatory violence, and restored public order. Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues,” he added.
The police have registered a FIR under Sections 109, 111, 115(2), 118(1), 126(2), 324(4), 351(3) read with 190 of the BNS Act 2023, and Sections 3, 4, r/w vide Crime No. 69/2025. 25 of the Arms Act 1959.
Team effort: SP credits officers, detection squad
Accused given shelter in Belagavi, later traced to Karwar: Police
MARGAO: After the murderous attack on the Baleno car on the Margao-Colva road in the wee hours of Tuesday, some of the accused persons are believed to have crossed the border and headed to Belagavi.
Police sources informed that the group which headed to Belagavi were sheltered allegedly by Parshuram Rathod before they moved to a hotel the next day. In this context, the Police have arrested Deepak Katimani and Parshuram Rathod for assisting the accused persons.
Sources informed that the group later proceeded towards Sadashivgad-Karwar area, but were traced by the Goa Police with the help of their Karnataka counterparts.
The police team which was sent to Karnataka has returned with the accused persons.
District Police chief, SP Tikam Singh Verma has acknowledged the help extended by their Karnataka counterparts to nab the accused.
