the goan I network
CANACONA
A dispute over a house in a plot at the government’s 20-point programme at Poinguinim ended in murder when one person was killed while another person was injured late Sunday evening. The accused, Rohan Naik (34), who was injured in the incident, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Santosh Rivankar (43) of Potkem-Poinguinim.
INCIDENT
The incident took place as Santosh Rivankar along with his younger brother, Sachin, were returning home on his motorbike to Poinguinim after lodging a complaint of construction works even though the property is sealed at Potkem-Poinguinim.
Rohan Naik, a resident of Partagal, proceeded on another motorbike and reportedly intercepted Santosh and Sachin nearby the Forest Gate at Bhatpal on the NH66 highway. Rohan began an argument with Santosh and soon, both were engaged in a fight. Santosh fell on the ground and collapsed. Sachin, who is a witness to the incident along with a few others, claimed that his brother had been assaulted and was pushed to the ground.
An unconscious Santosh was rushed to Community Health Centre (CHC), Canacona, where the doctor on duty declared him dead on arrival at about 8 pm. Rohan, who was also injured in the incident, was also taken to the CHC and after providing first-aid, was referred to the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) Margao on Sunday night.
DISPUTE
Sources said Santosh had been a complainant after alleging an illegal construction of a house in the plots of 20-point programme at Poinguinim, where he resided. Based on his complaint, the Poinguinim panchayat had sealed the house on the directives of the deputy collector last week. Rohan, who was a close friend of the house owner, would frequently engage in arguments with Santosh.
Despite the sealing of the house, the owner reportedly continued with the construction work. On Sunday, Rohan was noticed carrying out some activities at the sealed construction site.
When Sachin who was at home tried to click pictures of Rohan Naik carrying out the activities at the sealed construction site, Rohan, in turn, began abusing the complainants and their families.On the advice of a panch, Santosh and Sachin proceeded to file a police complaint. As the brothers were returning home after filing the police complaint, they were allegedly intercepted by Rohan.
INVESTIGATION
The autopsy report was considered crucial as they were counter claims that Santosh had suffered a heart attack during the scuffle and fell on a hard object, leading to his death. Canacona police stated that the post-mortem report indicated that Santosh had died due to an injury in his cervical spine after he had been pushed on the ground.
According to Canacona PI Harish Raut Dessai, Rohan assaulted Santosh and pushed him on the ground, causing an injury to his cervical spine and leading to his death.
Canacona PI Dessai said a case of murder under Section 302 IPC was registered against Rohan Naik, who was later placed under arrest.
Canacona police are conducting investigations under the guidance and supervision of SDPO Tikam Singh Verma and SP (South) Sunita Sawant.
