MAPUSA
A Mapusa court on Monday extended the police custody of three men arrested in connection with the brutal assault on a couple at Bastora junction, even as the prime accused continues to evade arrest.
The court also reserved its order on the bail applications of the accused until Wednesday.
The three accused “ Ranganath Shetye (55), Kaushal Shetye (32), and Vinod Shetkar (47), all residents of Pirozoni, Moira “ were arrested by Mapusa Police late last Tuesday and were initially remanded to five days in police custody, which ended on Monday.
The extension of custody comes after Mapusa Police argued that their investigation was still incomplete. They informed the court that the main accused, Tulshidas Shetye, remains absconding and that the weapons used in the attack are yet to be recovered. Police also claimed that the incident involved more individuals who are yet to be identified and apprehended.
The attack took place late on the evening of June 3, when Vivek Shirodkar and his three-month pregnant wife, Shruti Shirodkar “ who run a shawarma van at the Bastora junction “ were allegedly assaulted by a group of 15 to 20 individuals.
The incident has sparked public outrage due to the violent nature of the assault and the fact that the female victim was pregnant at the time.
Two vehicles allegedly used during the attack have been seized by the police. According to investigators, the vehicles are registered in the names of Tulshidas Shetye and Kartik Shetye, who are believed to be linked to the case.
Despite the arrests, over a week has passed since the assault, and the police have yet to apprehend the prime accused and several other members of the group involved.
Meanwhile, the victims’ family has raised serious allegations, claiming that a police constable and an employee of the electricity department were among those who participated in the attack.
Authorities have yet to respond publicly to these claims.
