PANAJI
The Agarwadekar family appears to be cozying up to the alleged main accused Pooja Sharma in the demolition of a house in Assagao after her representative met them late Wednesday evening and promised to rebuild their house. The Agarwadekars also said that Pooja promised to withdraw the sale deed agreement over the property with the original owner.
The family indicated that they are taking a sympathetic view since there are families involved on both sides.
Earlier in the day, against the backdrop of allegations of lapses by Anjuna police regarding the demolition, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that investigation will be handed over to the Crime Branch (CB).
Addressing the media after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the Chief Minister reiterated that the government will reconstruct the demolished house, though the legality of the ownership will be decided by the court.
“The case will be transferred from Anjuna police to the CB to ensure that the investigation is impartial. I will not tolerate such incidents in the future,” he stated, adding, ‘the house will be rebuilt as it was before the demolition and the government has taken on that responsibility. However, the ownership issue will be decided by the court’.
Sawant, also the Home Minister, further mentioned that the Chief Secretary is conducting an inquiry into the matter and anyone found responsible will face consequences. The Goa Police came under scrutiny for initially failing to act against the alleged illegal demolition as well as laxity in the investigation, thereafter.
It is also learnt that the Chief Minister met with DGP Jaspal Singh on Tuesday after which an inquiry was ordered at the government level. Singh subsequently took to X to assure the public of a thorough investigation and to seek their trust in the police.
