PANAJI: The Goa Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the attempted shooting of casino executive Shrinivas Nayak and his security guard in Porvorim, three days after the incident.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Goa Assembly on Monday that the Crime Branch would now lead the probe and said efforts were underway to identify and arrest the attackers.
The issue was raised in the House by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, who moved an adjournment motion over concerns about Goa’s law-and-order situation. Sardesai had specifically demanded that the Crime Branch take charge of the investigation.
Questioning the security arrangements, Sardesai highlighted that the shooting took place barely 500 metres from both the Goa Legislative Assembly and the Porvorim police station.
The shooters remain at large. Police are reportedly examining several possible angles, including the possibility of a targeted attack carried out by hired assailants. Investigators have also ruled out extortion as the immediate motive and are probing whether the attackers were brought into Goa from another state.
A police team has reportedly travelled to Mumbai as part of the investigation, while several people have been questioned in connection with the case.
Chief Minister Sawant has directed the police to establish the motive and speed up efforts to trace and arrest those behind the attack.
The shooting has also triggered fresh political criticism over law and order in Goa, with AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva questioning the government’s handling of the state’s security situation outside the Assembly.
