MAPUSA
One of the key accused in the assault on a couple at Bastora junction has been identified as Tulshidas Shetye, a BJP party worker affiliated with the Aldona BJP Mandal.
Mapusa Police, which has come under fire for its initial handling of the case, has arrested three individuals and obtained five days of police custody for the trio.
The arrested accused “ Ranganath Shetye (55), Kaushal Shetye (32) and Vinod Shetkar (47), all residents of Pirozoni, Moira “ were taken into custody following mounting public pressure and outrage.
The incident occurred late Monday evening, when Vivek Shirodkar and his three-month pregnant wife, Shruti Shirodkar, who operate a shawarma van at Bastora junction, were allegedly assaulted by a group of men.
Two vehicles used in the commission of the crime have been attached by police. According to Mapusa Police, the vehicles belong to Tulshidas Shetye and Kartik Shetye, who are allegedly connected to the case.
The seizure was carried out on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation.
A senior BJP functionary confirmed that Tulshidas Shetye is indeed a registered member of the Aldona BJP Mandal.
Shetye, a resident of Moira, is said to have significant influence in the area and reportedly joined the BJP in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, bringing along 80 supporters.
Sources suggest that Shetye is being investigated for a possible role in orchestrating or facilitating the attack.
Police have not confirmed whether he is currently absconding, but said that further arrests are imminent.
“We are actively searching for other individuals involved in the incident and more arrests are expected soon,” said Mapusa PI Nikhil Palekar, who cut short his leave to personally supervise the probe.
The police department has come under criticism after the victims’ family, residents of Nachinola, accused officers of initially ignoring evidence and refusing to act despite being shown photographs of the attackers.
They further alleged that a police constable and an electricity department employee were part of the group that carried out the attack.
