Nexus between traffickers and cops: NGO
TNN
PANAJI: If you thought that police constable Rajesh Sawant from Pernem police station, who has been suspended for his alleged role in a
prostitution racket in Pernem, is one rare policeman who approached a middleman of a prostitution racket and not only demanded money for permitting the prostitution racket, but also asked for a girl for himself, then think again .
A recently conducted study on the prostitution phenomenon in Goa, particularly post demolition of the red light area at Baina and closure of dance bars in Mumbai, has revealed that there is a nexus between traffickers and police. The study conducted by NGO Arz, that works with trafficked victims, was released in June 2009.
Sample these cases:
Six girls were rescued sometime ago by the police after raiding a lodge at Porvorim. The girls said that they had obtained the mobile number of an agent named Shiva, originally from Kerala, who was doing business in Goa through their (the girls) agents and customers in Bombay. These girls revealed that in the past when they were caught by the police at discotheques or beaches, they were released by the police after speaking to Shiva over the phone. The girls added that this time they had been raided as Shiva had failed to pay the monthly bribe amounting between Rs 5 and Rs 6 lakh a month to avoid raids.
A known supplier of girls in Pernem taluka used to keep young girls, including minors, in his own house. His neighbour complained to the police about these activities, resulting in the police raiding the house and rescuing two girls. But as the supplier was friendly with the police, he was let off.
Four young girls trafficked to Goa by an agent for commercial sex work were rescued' in a police raid in September 2007 from a bungalow in Mapusa. The police first demanded Rs 50,000 in cash if they wanted to be let off scott free without a case, which they thought the agent would arrange. In fact, the driver who was also in the bungalow agreed to give Rs 30,000 and asked if he could phone the agent to arrange for the remaining amount. There were only 2 male policemen during the rescue and they did not allow calls. They started seizing mobiles, and then took the women one by one to the room and touched their private parts in the name of investigation. They were then taken to the Mapusa police station.
"There is a close nexus between traffickers and the police. This existed in the red-light area and continues to exist in Goa. Once caught by the police, the perpetrators only change the location of their operation but do not give up business. In some cases, it is intensified in terms of increase in the number of girls, more contacts in the flesh trade, more police and political linkages," said Arun Pandey, director, Arz.
However, police spokesperson SP AV Deshpande said, "As and when a matter is brought to our notice, we take necessary action."
12 July 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, July 13, 2009
Apna Ghar official suspended
Apna Ghar official suspended
TNN
PANAJI: The women and child department has suspended the superintendent of Apna Ghar, Merces, and initiated disciplinary proceedings against
her.
The director of the women and child department, Sumedha Bolekar, confirmed that the superintendent, Sumedha Bolekar, has been suspended. He, however, refused to give the reason behind the move.
Sources said that the department was facing constant embarrassment as juveniles housed there often fled from the home. The escapees, when caught, would always complain of ill-treatment at Apna Ghar.
10 July 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: The women and child department has suspended the superintendent of Apna Ghar, Merces, and initiated disciplinary proceedings against
her.
The director of the women and child department, Sumedha Bolekar, confirmed that the superintendent, Sumedha Bolekar, has been suspended. He, however, refused to give the reason behind the move.
Sources said that the department was facing constant embarrassment as juveniles housed there often fled from the home. The escapees, when caught, would always complain of ill-treatment at Apna Ghar.
10 July 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, July 10, 2009
Activists smell a rat in law on health estates
Activists smell a rat in law on health estates
TNN,
PANAJI: The recently notified Goa Health Services Development Act, 2008, gives overriding powers to the Goa Health Services Development
Corporation to issue directions to local authorities to grant permission to new health estates.
The Act allows the corporation to acquire land and says, “any land required by the corporation for carrying out any of its functions shall be deemed to be needed for a public purpose”. Further, the corporation will have the powers to lease, sell, exchange or transfer property held by it and declares that anyone found guilty of attempting to stop work in a health estate will attract a penalty or imprisonment.
The Act defines a “health estate” as any area declared to be a health estate by a notification in the official gazette, which is to be developed and where health establishments are to be accommodated. Activists, however, allege that health estates are nothing but a ploy to develop real estate in the state by keeping the people out of the planning process. “This is being done to take away the little power panchayats have and develop real estate. They are trying to stifle the people’s voice.
Politicians have ruined the cities and towns, and now they will destroy the villages. The government is not with the people and is doing destructive development, with complete disregard for people’s opinion,” alleged Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch spokesperson Geraldine Fernandes.
The Act states that “if the government is satisfied either on a recommendation made in this behalf by the corporation or otherwise, that the setting up of a health undertaking is impeded by a local authority’s refusal to grant or by such authority’s insistence on conditions which the government considers unreasonable for the grant of any amenity, the government may direct the local authority to grant the said amenity”.
Goa Bachao Abhiyan convenor Sabina Martins counters this saying, “Anybody’s land can be acquired for the health estate because it will be deemed to have been acquired for public purpose. We opposed section 16, 16 (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act as it keeps public-private partnerships and government projects outside the purview of the regional plan process. This notification contains clauses taking away the powers of the panchayat and people to object or agree to a health estate.”
Health minister Vishwajit Rane, however, denies any hidden agenda. “There is no land scam here. It is an old plan, formulated when present opposition leader Manohar Parrikar was chief minister. The Act has been deliberated on in the assembly and passed to provide the best health facilities to the people and in the interest of the people.”
The only relief is that the government shall not issue directions unless the local authority has been given an opportunity to show cause why such a direction should not be made. Rane, however, said the corporation won’t be acquiring any land, but using the 2-3 lakh sq m of land already in its possession. “It is a rocky terrain at Kadamba plateau, which was in the government’s possession and has been transferred to the corporation,” said Rane.
Assuring that the health estate would be a health hub offering health facilities to the people and providing allied services such as a nursing college or EMRI advance paramedic centre, Rane said, “It is not going to be a five-star residential complex. It is going to be purely a place to provide health facilities or allied activities to benefit the people of Goa. I will do what my conscience permits and as advised by the health advisory council.”
The notification further states that any person obstructing the entry of an authorised person into any land, molesting such a person or obstructing work shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.
Besides, anyone removing a mark set up for the purpose of indicating any level, boundary line, or direction necessary to execute works authorised under the Act shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with a fine which may extend to Rs 1,000 or with both.
Advocate and activist Satish Sonak said, “A government needs to put such clauses and penalties when they fail to understand the popular view point and want to suppress people’s opinion by using the law as a rod. This is done to put fear in people’s hearts and shows that the government has lost faith in its ability to convince the people. The government may make laws, but if I am convinced that wrong is being done, I am willing to break the law and bear punishment for the same,” said advocate Satish Sonak.
10 July, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN,
PANAJI: The recently notified Goa Health Services Development Act, 2008, gives overriding powers to the Goa Health Services Development
Corporation to issue directions to local authorities to grant permission to new health estates.
The Act allows the corporation to acquire land and says, “any land required by the corporation for carrying out any of its functions shall be deemed to be needed for a public purpose”. Further, the corporation will have the powers to lease, sell, exchange or transfer property held by it and declares that anyone found guilty of attempting to stop work in a health estate will attract a penalty or imprisonment.
The Act defines a “health estate” as any area declared to be a health estate by a notification in the official gazette, which is to be developed and where health establishments are to be accommodated. Activists, however, allege that health estates are nothing but a ploy to develop real estate in the state by keeping the people out of the planning process. “This is being done to take away the little power panchayats have and develop real estate. They are trying to stifle the people’s voice.
Politicians have ruined the cities and towns, and now they will destroy the villages. The government is not with the people and is doing destructive development, with complete disregard for people’s opinion,” alleged Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch spokesperson Geraldine Fernandes.
The Act states that “if the government is satisfied either on a recommendation made in this behalf by the corporation or otherwise, that the setting up of a health undertaking is impeded by a local authority’s refusal to grant or by such authority’s insistence on conditions which the government considers unreasonable for the grant of any amenity, the government may direct the local authority to grant the said amenity”.
Goa Bachao Abhiyan convenor Sabina Martins counters this saying, “Anybody’s land can be acquired for the health estate because it will be deemed to have been acquired for public purpose. We opposed section 16, 16 (a) of the Town and Country Planning Act as it keeps public-private partnerships and government projects outside the purview of the regional plan process. This notification contains clauses taking away the powers of the panchayat and people to object or agree to a health estate.”
Health minister Vishwajit Rane, however, denies any hidden agenda. “There is no land scam here. It is an old plan, formulated when present opposition leader Manohar Parrikar was chief minister. The Act has been deliberated on in the assembly and passed to provide the best health facilities to the people and in the interest of the people.”
The only relief is that the government shall not issue directions unless the local authority has been given an opportunity to show cause why such a direction should not be made. Rane, however, said the corporation won’t be acquiring any land, but using the 2-3 lakh sq m of land already in its possession. “It is a rocky terrain at Kadamba plateau, which was in the government’s possession and has been transferred to the corporation,” said Rane.
Assuring that the health estate would be a health hub offering health facilities to the people and providing allied services such as a nursing college or EMRI advance paramedic centre, Rane said, “It is not going to be a five-star residential complex. It is going to be purely a place to provide health facilities or allied activities to benefit the people of Goa. I will do what my conscience permits and as advised by the health advisory council.”
The notification further states that any person obstructing the entry of an authorised person into any land, molesting such a person or obstructing work shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.
Besides, anyone removing a mark set up for the purpose of indicating any level, boundary line, or direction necessary to execute works authorised under the Act shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with a fine which may extend to Rs 1,000 or with both.
Advocate and activist Satish Sonak said, “A government needs to put such clauses and penalties when they fail to understand the popular view point and want to suppress people’s opinion by using the law as a rod. This is done to put fear in people’s hearts and shows that the government has lost faith in its ability to convince the people. The government may make laws, but if I am convinced that wrong is being done, I am willing to break the law and bear punishment for the same,” said advocate Satish Sonak.
10 July, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, July 09, 2009
If you are a victim of gossip mongers, apple polishers and stool pigeons? Share your experience...
If you are a victim of gossip mongers, apple polishers and stool pigeons? Share your experience
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Goa CHCs lack basic c-section facilities
Goa CHCs lack basic c-section facilities
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: While the Goa government crows about it’s ‘top-notch’ healthcare facilities, a recent survey found that 80% of the community health
centres (CHC), first referral units (FRU) in an emergency, are not equipped to conduct even a simple caesarean section. The survey found that only one CHC, of five in the state, has a qualified gyneacologist able to perform a caesarean.
The survey was conducted in 2007-08 and health director Dr Rajnanda Dessai says there have been changes since then. “The situation has improved and we now have gyneacologists in most CHCs. A caesarean is, however, not done at CHCs due to certain inherent factors.”
The ‘inherent factors’, include the lack of a blood storage facility and the non-availability of an anaesthetist. Sources also say there are times when doctors
at CHCs don’t want to take the risk.
The survey, conducted in 2007-08, found that though three CHCs had a functional operation theatre, only one, Ponda CHC, had a general surgeon and though they have been designated as FRUs, none had facilities to store blood.
Dessai, however, assured that this would change. “We are working on improving the situation,” she said.
There are, however, no caesareans performed at primary health centres (PHC) as these do not have a gyneacologist.
Though normal births are possible at CHCs 24 hours a day, the average number of deliveries a month at all CHCs are 60 and at PHCs even less, at 30. Compared to this, Goa medical college and hospital on an average conducts 123 deliveries a month.
June 27,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition, Page 1
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: While the Goa government crows about it’s ‘top-notch’ healthcare facilities, a recent survey found that 80% of the community health
centres (CHC), first referral units (FRU) in an emergency, are not equipped to conduct even a simple caesarean section. The survey found that only one CHC, of five in the state, has a qualified gyneacologist able to perform a caesarean.
The survey was conducted in 2007-08 and health director Dr Rajnanda Dessai says there have been changes since then. “The situation has improved and we now have gyneacologists in most CHCs. A caesarean is, however, not done at CHCs due to certain inherent factors.”
The ‘inherent factors’, include the lack of a blood storage facility and the non-availability of an anaesthetist. Sources also say there are times when doctors
at CHCs don’t want to take the risk.
The survey, conducted in 2007-08, found that though three CHCs had a functional operation theatre, only one, Ponda CHC, had a general surgeon and though they have been designated as FRUs, none had facilities to store blood.
Dessai, however, assured that this would change. “We are working on improving the situation,” she said.
There are, however, no caesareans performed at primary health centres (PHC) as these do not have a gyneacologist.
Though normal births are possible at CHCs 24 hours a day, the average number of deliveries a month at all CHCs are 60 and at PHCs even less, at 30. Compared to this, Goa medical college and hospital on an average conducts 123 deliveries a month.
June 27,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition, Page 1
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Three year old rape returns to haunt minor
Three year old rape returns to haunt minor
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Just when a 11-year-old girl was beginning to overcome the damaging effects of a rape four years earlier, she has been stunned with the
knowledge that she has tested positive for HIV. The girl had been allegedly raped by her neighbour in June 2005.
The family suspects that her rapist, out on bail, may have infected their little girl. "I am told that there is a myth that HIV/AIDS sufferers can be cured if they have sex with a virgin. My daughter seems to a victim of one such false belief," the victim's father said.
The girl's recent discharge card from a paediatric consultant at Goa medical college and hospital states, "Due to sexual abuse the case was made MLC (medico-legal case) and a police statement taken." The girl had been admitted to the hospital on June 8 as she was running a fever and feeling weak. Tests conducted on her revealed TB and HIV.
Incidentally, though the Vasco police had registered the case and arrested the accused, one Ramesh Lamani, they had later closed the case as A-final (due to lack of medical evidence) and on the prosecution director's opinion, hadn't filed a chargesheet in the case. Subsequently, the accused was released on bail and investigations were closed in August 2006.
However, the matter is still pending before the JMFC, Vasco. "The court has so far not accepted the police decision. It now has the powers to reject the police decision and ask us to investigate," said a police official. Meanwhile, Vasco police have again recorded the minor's statement in the hospital.
The victim alleged that the accused had unprotected sex with her at his home in June 2006. She can't recollect the date on which she was raped, but remembers that it was drizzling. She was nine years old when her "friendly" neighbour raped her violently.
"He held my hands, restrained me and had forcible intercourse with me. The attack was so violent, that I screamed in pain and for help. But he pressed a knife to my throat and threatened to kill me and my family. I was scared," said the girl, who weighs less than 25 kg.
The incident sent the girl into a shell for more than a month and she revealed about the attack almost a month and a half later, following which the family lodged a police complaint on July 18, 2005 and the accused arrested.
"My parents were out of station when the incident happened. My little sister went into a shell and only when coaxed revealed that she was raped by our neighbour. She maintained a silence as he had threatened to kill my parents," said the victim's elder sister, explaining the delay in lodging the police complaint.
The minor's family now want that the police arrest the accused and test him for HIV. They have also contacted child activists for help.
The girl's father said that after the incident, his daughter was continuously ill and due to weakness had to drop out of school. "In the last few months, her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. She was detected with HIV and the doctors even tested us for HIV. But as our reports were negative, the doctors at GMC coaxed my daughter and she spoke the truth," said the father.
June 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition, Page 1
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Just when a 11-year-old girl was beginning to overcome the damaging effects of a rape four years earlier, she has been stunned with the
knowledge that she has tested positive for HIV. The girl had been allegedly raped by her neighbour in June 2005.
The family suspects that her rapist, out on bail, may have infected their little girl. "I am told that there is a myth that HIV/AIDS sufferers can be cured if they have sex with a virgin. My daughter seems to a victim of one such false belief," the victim's father said.
The girl's recent discharge card from a paediatric consultant at Goa medical college and hospital states, "Due to sexual abuse the case was made MLC (medico-legal case) and a police statement taken." The girl had been admitted to the hospital on June 8 as she was running a fever and feeling weak. Tests conducted on her revealed TB and HIV.
Incidentally, though the Vasco police had registered the case and arrested the accused, one Ramesh Lamani, they had later closed the case as A-final (due to lack of medical evidence) and on the prosecution director's opinion, hadn't filed a chargesheet in the case. Subsequently, the accused was released on bail and investigations were closed in August 2006.
However, the matter is still pending before the JMFC, Vasco. "The court has so far not accepted the police decision. It now has the powers to reject the police decision and ask us to investigate," said a police official. Meanwhile, Vasco police have again recorded the minor's statement in the hospital.
The victim alleged that the accused had unprotected sex with her at his home in June 2006. She can't recollect the date on which she was raped, but remembers that it was drizzling. She was nine years old when her "friendly" neighbour raped her violently.
"He held my hands, restrained me and had forcible intercourse with me. The attack was so violent, that I screamed in pain and for help. But he pressed a knife to my throat and threatened to kill me and my family. I was scared," said the girl, who weighs less than 25 kg.
The incident sent the girl into a shell for more than a month and she revealed about the attack almost a month and a half later, following which the family lodged a police complaint on July 18, 2005 and the accused arrested.
"My parents were out of station when the incident happened. My little sister went into a shell and only when coaxed revealed that she was raped by our neighbour. She maintained a silence as he had threatened to kill my parents," said the victim's elder sister, explaining the delay in lodging the police complaint.
The minor's family now want that the police arrest the accused and test him for HIV. They have also contacted child activists for help.
The girl's father said that after the incident, his daughter was continuously ill and due to weakness had to drop out of school. "In the last few months, her condition deteriorated and she was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. She was detected with HIV and the doctors even tested us for HIV. But as our reports were negative, the doctors at GMC coaxed my daughter and she spoke the truth," said the father.
June 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition, Page 1
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The expanding red light district
The expanding red light district
Preetu Nair, TNN
From massage parlours to fishing trawlers, highways to starred hotels, migrants to Goan girls, after the tearing down of Baina's red light area, trafficking in Goa has undergone a sea change, reports Preetu Nair
* In the last three raids on massage parlours in Porvorim, Mapusa and Arpora, police rescued four Goans. The girls had joined the parlours for "better pay" and "a better future".
* Sudha, 16, a school dropout from Sanvordem wanted fancy mobiles, money to spend on clothes, food and friends. Traffickers would lure her with the promise of a mobile phone every night for serveral months. She was later rescued from a hotel in Margao and the traffickers arrested.
* Three young girlsa Kannadiga, Manipuri and Goanwere recently rescued from a massage parlour in Vagator. They were lured with the promise of "good money" and "promotion" after a year. The promotion included training in beauty treatment and a near doubling of salary to between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000.
Five years after bulldozers razed Baina's red light area in the state's port town of Vasco, the mode and form of trafficking has changed.
Baina's dingy rooms have given way to fancy cubicles in massage parlours and air-conditioned rooms in starred hotels. Taxi drivers and motorcycle pilots as contact points have made way for waiters, chai boys and beach hawkers. The modus operandi too has adapted to the needs of the solicitors and the solicited.
Perhaps the biggest change, however, point out police and NGO sources, are the finding of local girls among those rescued.
"Goan girls are being lured, often by Goan women, with the promise of easy money and the belief that they can lead a comfortable life with less hardwork," says Auda Viegas, president, Bailancho Ekvott and member of the State Protective Home that looks after rescued trafficking victims.
With the contact point shifting from the cramped lanes in Baina to just about everywhere: beaches, parlours, hotels, lodges, bars, restaurants, streets, markets, even fishing trawlers, the modus operandi nowadays is to pre-arrange a meeting point for the customer and the girl. Alternatively, women are also sent to certain areas to directly solicit, finds a study by Baina-based NGO, Arz.
The 2007-08 study, whose findings will be released soon, focused on Goa's prostitution phenomenon after the demolition of Baina and the closure of dance bars in Mumbai. Information was collected by talking to sex workers, pimps, legislators, government authorities, hoteliers etc. The study reports that nowadays, it is not uncommon to find girls, including foreigners, soliciting on beaches, bars, restaurants, shacks and even at tourist bazaars.
Another common meeting point are night clubs where couple entry is the rule. Some girls solicit around major crossroads, traffic circles, junctions, gardens and bus stands. In Margao, Colva and other parts of Salcete taluka, women are seen soliciting on the roads, municipal garden and bus stands. Most are migrants settled in Goa, reports the study.
"After the demolition in Baina, prostitution has spread all over the state," says Dr Pramod Salgaonkar, chairperson, Goa State Commission for Women. "While middle-budget prostitution is flourishing in the tourist belt in the form of massage parlours, prostitution along highways, hotels and houses is also on the increase," she adds.
Arun Pandey of Arz, says, "The Baina demolition has led to an escalation in highway prostitution, prostitution in isolated places like jungles and prostitution in vehicles (private four wheelers)."
"There is an increased vulnerability of women and children in prostitution to forced sex acts and rapes. Clients would not be able to film prostituted women and children or have group sex in a brothel. Now this is possible," he adds.
Goa police's public information officer SP AV Deshpande calls it "old wine in a new bottle". "The business is the same. But girls are now better educated and pimps are using the latest technology to operate and attract high paying clients. The business has become more sophisticated." Moreover, new destination points for trafficking in Goa and in neighboring states have developed, he says.
As for local girls entering the trade, Dr Pramod Salgaonkar shrugs off the matter, "There are few Goan girls who are misguided and pushed into prostitution. But the number is minuscule."
Auda Viegas, emphasizes, "We have to get out of denial mode and accept that in the changing scenario our Goan girls are also being lured into commercial sex work and in most cases by Goan women. It's the lure of easy money and a false belief that it's an easy life."
(Names of trafficked victims changed)
The supply chain
Air
Upper class commercial sex workers and their clients prefer to fly into Goa. Prior to meeting, customers choose from photos shown on mobilephones by agents. The agent then makes the deal with the girl and the amount charged can go up to Rs 1 lakh per night. A part of the payment is made in advance and is immediately verified at the nearest ATM. One-way air fare is paid by the middle man who can earn as much as Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in one deal. Hotels are avoided and girls are taken to bungalows or flats.
Train
Girls brought into Goa by train, mostly alight at Thivim and Vasco stations from where they are picked up and taken to flats. They are supplied as per demand.
Bus
Girls brought into Goa by bus get down at Mapusa, Panaji, Margao, Ponda or Bicholim bus terminii. They are then taken to other destinations by pimps.
Private vehicles
While trafficking via private vehicles, a "manager" accompanies the girls who are then handed over to the relevant person in Goa. The manager gets "good luck" moneya cash incentive that can go up to Rs 5,000 per girl. The girls are received at specific places, mostly in Mapusa and Panaji.
In such deals, the girls are taken on a "contract" basis of about Rs 25,000 for 15 days. Each girl has to entertain 8 to 12 customers per day. If a customer complains, the girl faces a financial "penalty" of up to Rs 5,000 or more.
* Information from study: Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Goa' by Baina-based NGO, ARZ
Massage parlours
Place: Mostly in the coastal belt
Operate from: Stalls erected behind beach shacks, hotels, lodges and rented houses. While some are high-class massage/beauty parlours, others operate from dingy rooms. There are registered as well as unregistered parlours that traffick. A security guard at most places facilitates entry into the parlour.
CSWs: From Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nepal. Of late, Goan girls have also been found working in such parlours.
Customers: Domestic, foreign tourists, even local youngsters have been found visiting those located in Bardez taluka.
Modus operandi: Customers do not approach massage/beauty parlours directly. They are solicited by mostly young boys. After soliciting, the customers (either alone or in groups of 2-4) are brought to the parlour via private or commercial vehicles. In a majority of cases, vans are used to transport the solicited customers.
Price: Varies from Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000
Hotels & lodges
Place: Almost everywhere in Goa
CSWs: Predominantly from Maharashtra (mainly Mumbai, Pune and Sawantwadi), Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nepal. Young, smart, modern, fashionable and Hindi-speaking girls are preferred.
Modus operandi: The girls are accommodated at the hotel or in a nearby rented house. After agents fix a deal with customers, the girls are made available. Those put up in rented premises are contacted over their mobiles and picked up from their residences.
Agents in hotels and lodges also contact girls who openly solicit in markets and beaches. On receiving the details, the girl proceeds to the hotel/lodge.
In another variant, in Bardez taluka rooms are rented to girls on an hourly basis.
Some hotel managers also have contacts with CSWs from other states in order to meet demand. If the girl does not have money to travel, she is instructed to board a particular bus where the ticket is paid for directly at the travel agency by the hotel manager. She diembarks at the said destination and is taken directly to the hotel.
Customers: Domestic and foreign tourists
Rented Rooms
Place: CSWs are kept in rented rooms and houses in villages
CSWs: From Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nepal.
Modus operandi: The girls are brought to Goa by bus or train on contracts that range from a week to a month.
In Bardez taluka, they are mostly picked up from the Mapusa bus stand or Thivim railway station.
They are not allowed to leave the rooms/houses. Whenever they are taken out, vehicles with black tinted glasses are used. After the contract period they are paid and sent back.
Fishing trawlers
Place: Fishing jetties and nearby market areas. Though entry into fishing jetties is restricted, the girls are permitted.
CSWs: Mostly from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Modus operandi: Soliciting is done by the CSW herself. The room is often a trawler anchored a distance away from the jetty.
Though cash is paid, in many cases the girl gets fish or prawns which she later sells.
Customers: Migrants from Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, who work on contract basis with trawler owners.
Brothels
Place: Baina, Vasco
Modus operandi: Customers are solicited by motorcycle pilots and taxi drivers at bus stands, railway stations, markets, gardens and brought to Baina beach.
Here, a deal is made with the madam' (brothel owner) and once finalized the girl is sent with the customer to a nearby, pre-determined room.
The amount paid is shared by the pimp, room owner, madam and the CSW. At times, the CSW is forced to solicit customers herself.
Isolated places
Place: Prime areas include the KTC bus stand, Municipal garden, Railway bridge and railway station in Vasco city. Also Sada, Bogda, the Japanese garden, Kharewada, Birla, Zuari Nagar, Verna industrial estate, Kelsim and Thane and Cortalim.
CSWs: Mostly those displaced after the demolition of the red light area in Baina.
Modus operandi: CSWs solicit customers on the roads and take them to nearby hotels, lodges or thickly forested areas.
Highways
Place: Highways passing through some of the state's interior talukas. Mostly in highly industrial and mining areas.
CSWs: Mostly from migrant populations settled in slums or rented houses.
Modus operandi: CSWs solicit at different locations along the highways. The customer is taken to a room or the girl travels to another location in the latter's vehicle.
Customers: Mostly truck drivers and helpers.
10 Jun 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
From massage parlours to fishing trawlers, highways to starred hotels, migrants to Goan girls, after the tearing down of Baina's red light area, trafficking in Goa has undergone a sea change, reports Preetu Nair
* In the last three raids on massage parlours in Porvorim, Mapusa and Arpora, police rescued four Goans. The girls had joined the parlours for "better pay" and "a better future".
* Sudha, 16, a school dropout from Sanvordem wanted fancy mobiles, money to spend on clothes, food and friends. Traffickers would lure her with the promise of a mobile phone every night for serveral months. She was later rescued from a hotel in Margao and the traffickers arrested.
* Three young girlsa Kannadiga, Manipuri and Goanwere recently rescued from a massage parlour in Vagator. They were lured with the promise of "good money" and "promotion" after a year. The promotion included training in beauty treatment and a near doubling of salary to between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000.
Five years after bulldozers razed Baina's red light area in the state's port town of Vasco, the mode and form of trafficking has changed.
Baina's dingy rooms have given way to fancy cubicles in massage parlours and air-conditioned rooms in starred hotels. Taxi drivers and motorcycle pilots as contact points have made way for waiters, chai boys and beach hawkers. The modus operandi too has adapted to the needs of the solicitors and the solicited.
Perhaps the biggest change, however, point out police and NGO sources, are the finding of local girls among those rescued.
"Goan girls are being lured, often by Goan women, with the promise of easy money and the belief that they can lead a comfortable life with less hardwork," says Auda Viegas, president, Bailancho Ekvott and member of the State Protective Home that looks after rescued trafficking victims.
With the contact point shifting from the cramped lanes in Baina to just about everywhere: beaches, parlours, hotels, lodges, bars, restaurants, streets, markets, even fishing trawlers, the modus operandi nowadays is to pre-arrange a meeting point for the customer and the girl. Alternatively, women are also sent to certain areas to directly solicit, finds a study by Baina-based NGO, Arz.
The 2007-08 study, whose findings will be released soon, focused on Goa's prostitution phenomenon after the demolition of Baina and the closure of dance bars in Mumbai. Information was collected by talking to sex workers, pimps, legislators, government authorities, hoteliers etc. The study reports that nowadays, it is not uncommon to find girls, including foreigners, soliciting on beaches, bars, restaurants, shacks and even at tourist bazaars.
Another common meeting point are night clubs where couple entry is the rule. Some girls solicit around major crossroads, traffic circles, junctions, gardens and bus stands. In Margao, Colva and other parts of Salcete taluka, women are seen soliciting on the roads, municipal garden and bus stands. Most are migrants settled in Goa, reports the study.
"After the demolition in Baina, prostitution has spread all over the state," says Dr Pramod Salgaonkar, chairperson, Goa State Commission for Women. "While middle-budget prostitution is flourishing in the tourist belt in the form of massage parlours, prostitution along highways, hotels and houses is also on the increase," she adds.
Arun Pandey of Arz, says, "The Baina demolition has led to an escalation in highway prostitution, prostitution in isolated places like jungles and prostitution in vehicles (private four wheelers)."
"There is an increased vulnerability of women and children in prostitution to forced sex acts and rapes. Clients would not be able to film prostituted women and children or have group sex in a brothel. Now this is possible," he adds.
Goa police's public information officer SP AV Deshpande calls it "old wine in a new bottle". "The business is the same. But girls are now better educated and pimps are using the latest technology to operate and attract high paying clients. The business has become more sophisticated." Moreover, new destination points for trafficking in Goa and in neighboring states have developed, he says.
As for local girls entering the trade, Dr Pramod Salgaonkar shrugs off the matter, "There are few Goan girls who are misguided and pushed into prostitution. But the number is minuscule."
Auda Viegas, emphasizes, "We have to get out of denial mode and accept that in the changing scenario our Goan girls are also being lured into commercial sex work and in most cases by Goan women. It's the lure of easy money and a false belief that it's an easy life."
(Names of trafficked victims changed)
The supply chain
Air
Upper class commercial sex workers and their clients prefer to fly into Goa. Prior to meeting, customers choose from photos shown on mobilephones by agents. The agent then makes the deal with the girl and the amount charged can go up to Rs 1 lakh per night. A part of the payment is made in advance and is immediately verified at the nearest ATM. One-way air fare is paid by the middle man who can earn as much as Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in one deal. Hotels are avoided and girls are taken to bungalows or flats.
Train
Girls brought into Goa by train, mostly alight at Thivim and Vasco stations from where they are picked up and taken to flats. They are supplied as per demand.
Bus
Girls brought into Goa by bus get down at Mapusa, Panaji, Margao, Ponda or Bicholim bus terminii. They are then taken to other destinations by pimps.
Private vehicles
While trafficking via private vehicles, a "manager" accompanies the girls who are then handed over to the relevant person in Goa. The manager gets "good luck" moneya cash incentive that can go up to Rs 5,000 per girl. The girls are received at specific places, mostly in Mapusa and Panaji.
In such deals, the girls are taken on a "contract" basis of about Rs 25,000 for 15 days. Each girl has to entertain 8 to 12 customers per day. If a customer complains, the girl faces a financial "penalty" of up to Rs 5,000 or more.
* Information from study: Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Goa' by Baina-based NGO, ARZ
Massage parlours
Place: Mostly in the coastal belt
Operate from: Stalls erected behind beach shacks, hotels, lodges and rented houses. While some are high-class massage/beauty parlours, others operate from dingy rooms. There are registered as well as unregistered parlours that traffick. A security guard at most places facilitates entry into the parlour.
CSWs: From Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nepal. Of late, Goan girls have also been found working in such parlours.
Customers: Domestic, foreign tourists, even local youngsters have been found visiting those located in Bardez taluka.
Modus operandi: Customers do not approach massage/beauty parlours directly. They are solicited by mostly young boys. After soliciting, the customers (either alone or in groups of 2-4) are brought to the parlour via private or commercial vehicles. In a majority of cases, vans are used to transport the solicited customers.
Price: Varies from Rs 2,500 to Rs 25,000
Hotels & lodges
Place: Almost everywhere in Goa
CSWs: Predominantly from Maharashtra (mainly Mumbai, Pune and Sawantwadi), Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nepal. Young, smart, modern, fashionable and Hindi-speaking girls are preferred.
Modus operandi: The girls are accommodated at the hotel or in a nearby rented house. After agents fix a deal with customers, the girls are made available. Those put up in rented premises are contacted over their mobiles and picked up from their residences.
Agents in hotels and lodges also contact girls who openly solicit in markets and beaches. On receiving the details, the girl proceeds to the hotel/lodge.
In another variant, in Bardez taluka rooms are rented to girls on an hourly basis.
Some hotel managers also have contacts with CSWs from other states in order to meet demand. If the girl does not have money to travel, she is instructed to board a particular bus where the ticket is paid for directly at the travel agency by the hotel manager. She diembarks at the said destination and is taken directly to the hotel.
Customers: Domestic and foreign tourists
Rented Rooms
Place: CSWs are kept in rented rooms and houses in villages
CSWs: From Maharashtra, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nepal.
Modus operandi: The girls are brought to Goa by bus or train on contracts that range from a week to a month.
In Bardez taluka, they are mostly picked up from the Mapusa bus stand or Thivim railway station.
They are not allowed to leave the rooms/houses. Whenever they are taken out, vehicles with black tinted glasses are used. After the contract period they are paid and sent back.
Fishing trawlers
Place: Fishing jetties and nearby market areas. Though entry into fishing jetties is restricted, the girls are permitted.
CSWs: Mostly from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Modus operandi: Soliciting is done by the CSW herself. The room is often a trawler anchored a distance away from the jetty.
Though cash is paid, in many cases the girl gets fish or prawns which she later sells.
Customers: Migrants from Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, who work on contract basis with trawler owners.
Brothels
Place: Baina, Vasco
Modus operandi: Customers are solicited by motorcycle pilots and taxi drivers at bus stands, railway stations, markets, gardens and brought to Baina beach.
Here, a deal is made with the madam' (brothel owner) and once finalized the girl is sent with the customer to a nearby, pre-determined room.
The amount paid is shared by the pimp, room owner, madam and the CSW. At times, the CSW is forced to solicit customers herself.
Isolated places
Place: Prime areas include the KTC bus stand, Municipal garden, Railway bridge and railway station in Vasco city. Also Sada, Bogda, the Japanese garden, Kharewada, Birla, Zuari Nagar, Verna industrial estate, Kelsim and Thane and Cortalim.
CSWs: Mostly those displaced after the demolition of the red light area in Baina.
Modus operandi: CSWs solicit customers on the roads and take them to nearby hotels, lodges or thickly forested areas.
Highways
Place: Highways passing through some of the state's interior talukas. Mostly in highly industrial and mining areas.
CSWs: Mostly from migrant populations settled in slums or rented houses.
Modus operandi: CSWs solicit at different locations along the highways. The customer is taken to a room or the girl travels to another location in the latter's vehicle.
Customers: Mostly truck drivers and helpers.
10 Jun 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Cops' theory on Elena's death inconclusive
Cops' theory on Elena's death inconclusive
TNN
PANAJI: Russian authorities have refused to accept the Goa police's accident theory in teenager Elena Sukhonova's death and said that homicide can't be excluded.
Elena's body was found on the railway tracks at Thivim on May 8. Police initially said that she might have boarded a train to Mumbai and accidentally fallen off of it. However, till date they have not got a single witness who could confirm her presence at the Thivim railway station.
"The Goa police's accident theory is not conclusive. There is a strong suspicion that it could be a case of homicide. Till date we have not received definite answers from the police," said Russian consul general Alexander Mantytsky, who was in Goa to discuss Elena's case with state government authorities.
"A number of our requests to expedite the investigation remained unanswered by the concerned authorities," he said. Admitting that there is a kind of police inefficiency in handling the case, he said, "The police is ill-equipped because they don't have a forensic laboratory. Some reports are pending for years together as the final report is not available." The Russian embassy authorities in Delhi have also taken up the matter with the ministry of external affairs and requested them to investigate into the case.
The consul general met the chief secretary and IGP on Tuesday to discuss Elena's case and also discussed eight more cases that involved an assault on a Russian, arrests and a jail sentence slapped on a Russian, and two cases of robbery of Russian tourists.
Describing Elena as a college student, he said that her parents have asked for her nails and hair for DNA profiling as she her face is now unrecognizable.
Stating that the inefficiency gives a bad name to Goa, he said, "Most Russians are victims of crime and that is why we want a thorough investigation into the cases. We want the accused to be punished. We don't want to promote a negative image of Goa."
Criticizing the stand of home minister Ravi Naik, who blamed foreign tourists for tarnishing Goa's image by their late night lifestyle, he asked, "If late night parties are illegal, then the police should enforce the law and ensure that there are no violations. Why blame the tourists, who are coming here to relax?"
About 44,000 Russian tourists visited Goa during the tourist season of 2008-2009. "Russians are also looking at Kerala. Now, the competition between Goa and Kerala is going to increase," he said.
The Russian counsel said that though some of the cases have been finalized by the police, they found the "answers in the mentioned letters quite formal as they do not contain any concrete information about the course of investigation."
3 June, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Russian authorities have refused to accept the Goa police's accident theory in teenager Elena Sukhonova's death and said that homicide can't be excluded.
Elena's body was found on the railway tracks at Thivim on May 8. Police initially said that she might have boarded a train to Mumbai and accidentally fallen off of it. However, till date they have not got a single witness who could confirm her presence at the Thivim railway station.
"The Goa police's accident theory is not conclusive. There is a strong suspicion that it could be a case of homicide. Till date we have not received definite answers from the police," said Russian consul general Alexander Mantytsky, who was in Goa to discuss Elena's case with state government authorities.
"A number of our requests to expedite the investigation remained unanswered by the concerned authorities," he said. Admitting that there is a kind of police inefficiency in handling the case, he said, "The police is ill-equipped because they don't have a forensic laboratory. Some reports are pending for years together as the final report is not available." The Russian embassy authorities in Delhi have also taken up the matter with the ministry of external affairs and requested them to investigate into the case.
The consul general met the chief secretary and IGP on Tuesday to discuss Elena's case and also discussed eight more cases that involved an assault on a Russian, arrests and a jail sentence slapped on a Russian, and two cases of robbery of Russian tourists.
Describing Elena as a college student, he said that her parents have asked for her nails and hair for DNA profiling as she her face is now unrecognizable.
Stating that the inefficiency gives a bad name to Goa, he said, "Most Russians are victims of crime and that is why we want a thorough investigation into the cases. We want the accused to be punished. We don't want to promote a negative image of Goa."
Criticizing the stand of home minister Ravi Naik, who blamed foreign tourists for tarnishing Goa's image by their late night lifestyle, he asked, "If late night parties are illegal, then the police should enforce the law and ensure that there are no violations. Why blame the tourists, who are coming here to relax?"
About 44,000 Russian tourists visited Goa during the tourist season of 2008-2009. "Russians are also looking at Kerala. Now, the competition between Goa and Kerala is going to increase," he said.
The Russian counsel said that though some of the cases have been finalized by the police, they found the "answers in the mentioned letters quite formal as they do not contain any concrete information about the course of investigation."
3 June, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
No one saw Elena at the station: Shopkeeper, staff
No one saw Elena at the station: Shopkeeper, staff
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a further twist to the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhanova, staff at the Thivim railway station have told TOI that they did not
see the girl at the station on the night her body was found on the tracks.
They insist that it would have been impossible for them to miss her as the collapsible gate to enter the platform at the station doesn't open till 4 am, one hour before the arrival of the Mangala Express.
It may be recalled that on May 8, Elena's body was found on the tracks about 3.5 km from the station. Police had said that from available evidence it appeared that Elena might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left the station at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling".
When TOI visited the station at about 3am on Friday, the collapsible gate to the platform was locked and passengers (mostly migrant labourers) were found to be fast asleep on the floor at
the entrance. At 4am, the gate was opened as the ticket counter had started issuing tickets for the Mangala Express. By 4.30am, the two shops in the station too opened for business.
"We don't open the collapsible gate at the station till 4am. Even if Elena was at the station, she would have had to wait outside and would have been noticed entering the platform once the gate was opened. Generally, whenever a lone tourist is brought to the station in a taxi in the night, the driver knocks at the gate and we allow the passenger to enter. But nothing of that sort happened on the night of May 8," a Thivim railway staffer told TOI. Elena's body was discovered at 7.45am. A shopkeeper at the station added, "No one saw her (Elena) here. It's surprising that all of us could have missed a lone, drunk foreign tourist."
Elena's Russian friends incidentally, had earlier told police that the teenagers had consumed beer on the night she died. "At about 2am (on May 8) myself, Natalia, Galina Evegeny, Georgy and Elena left Mambo's and went to the Baga beach. We all again consumed beer on the Baga beach sands. At about 2.30am myself, Natalia, Galina, Evegeny and Georgy decided to leave and go back to our hotel. However, Elena decided to stay back on the beach and continued having beer. She was in a drunken state," Russian tourist Andrey Dorin had said in her statement to the Mapusa police. She added that she was introduced to Elena a day before the latter's death during dinner at a beach shack and restaurant in Baga.
Meanwhile, Calangute police sources told TOI that the Traveller's Inn, a guest house where Elena was staying before her death, and the Baga-based Buckingham shack, whose owner she reportedly called her "boyfriend", "closed down a few days after the Russian girl's death". "Generally, the shack is open till the last week of May and the guest house is shut sometime in mid-June," said police sources. Shack owner Vishant Kundaikar told TOI, "It was a lean season and there were no customers. So I closed down the shack."
When contacted, senior police officials refused to comment saying investigations were on. Russian consul general Alexander Mantytsky is in Goa and is expected to meet the chief minister on Tuesday.
2 June,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a further twist to the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhanova, staff at the Thivim railway station have told TOI that they did not
see the girl at the station on the night her body was found on the tracks.
They insist that it would have been impossible for them to miss her as the collapsible gate to enter the platform at the station doesn't open till 4 am, one hour before the arrival of the Mangala Express.
It may be recalled that on May 8, Elena's body was found on the tracks about 3.5 km from the station. Police had said that from available evidence it appeared that Elena might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left the station at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling".
When TOI visited the station at about 3am on Friday, the collapsible gate to the platform was locked and passengers (mostly migrant labourers) were found to be fast asleep on the floor at
the entrance. At 4am, the gate was opened as the ticket counter had started issuing tickets for the Mangala Express. By 4.30am, the two shops in the station too opened for business.
"We don't open the collapsible gate at the station till 4am. Even if Elena was at the station, she would have had to wait outside and would have been noticed entering the platform once the gate was opened. Generally, whenever a lone tourist is brought to the station in a taxi in the night, the driver knocks at the gate and we allow the passenger to enter. But nothing of that sort happened on the night of May 8," a Thivim railway staffer told TOI. Elena's body was discovered at 7.45am. A shopkeeper at the station added, "No one saw her (Elena) here. It's surprising that all of us could have missed a lone, drunk foreign tourist."
Elena's Russian friends incidentally, had earlier told police that the teenagers had consumed beer on the night she died. "At about 2am (on May 8) myself, Natalia, Galina Evegeny, Georgy and Elena left Mambo's and went to the Baga beach. We all again consumed beer on the Baga beach sands. At about 2.30am myself, Natalia, Galina, Evegeny and Georgy decided to leave and go back to our hotel. However, Elena decided to stay back on the beach and continued having beer. She was in a drunken state," Russian tourist Andrey Dorin had said in her statement to the Mapusa police. She added that she was introduced to Elena a day before the latter's death during dinner at a beach shack and restaurant in Baga.
Meanwhile, Calangute police sources told TOI that the Traveller's Inn, a guest house where Elena was staying before her death, and the Baga-based Buckingham shack, whose owner she reportedly called her "boyfriend", "closed down a few days after the Russian girl's death". "Generally, the shack is open till the last week of May and the guest house is shut sometime in mid-June," said police sources. Shack owner Vishant Kundaikar told TOI, "It was a lean season and there were no customers. So I closed down the shack."
When contacted, senior police officials refused to comment saying investigations were on. Russian consul general Alexander Mantytsky is in Goa and is expected to meet the chief minister on Tuesday.
2 June,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Why unnatural is natural for cops?
Why unnatural is natural for cops?
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Of the 10 murders that Mahanand Naik has confessed to, five were registered as cases of unnatural death (UD) by the police and the cases were kept “open ended” for years.
Even as senior officials have called for the case papers to investigate into the circumstances under which the cases were registered as UDs, women activists say that dismissing a case as UD is common practice with the police. Sources say that over 70 cases are registered as UDs annually.
Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad said, “This has been our major grievance with the police. Whenever there is a woman’s death and it’s a difficult case, rather than investigate, the police register it as UD. In the absence of public pressure, the police don’t investigate seriously, even when there is enough evidence pointing towards murder.”
Auda Veigas of Bailancho Ekvott, who has been a panch witness for the police in several cases, agreed and said, “Whenever an unknown young woman’s body is found, the police immediately conclude that it may be a ‘outsider’s body’. Instead of investigating it as a case of murder, they dismiss it as an unnatural death and terminate investigations.”
Explaining the reasons behind the police tendency to register potential murders as UDs, former SP Alex Rasquinha said it is to avoid extensive paper work and to project a lower crime rate. “Once a case is registered as a murder, there are several formalities. Besides, a UD doesn’t reflect on the crime graph. The police don’t want to show an increase in murders with a low detection rate as it signifies a lack of supervision,” he said.
He added that the most common excuse the police adopt in keeping a case as UD is that the viscera report is awaited.
26 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Of the 10 murders that Mahanand Naik has confessed to, five were registered as cases of unnatural death (UD) by the police and the cases were kept “open ended” for years.
Even as senior officials have called for the case papers to investigate into the circumstances under which the cases were registered as UDs, women activists say that dismissing a case as UD is common practice with the police. Sources say that over 70 cases are registered as UDs annually.
Sabina Martins of Bailancho Saad said, “This has been our major grievance with the police. Whenever there is a woman’s death and it’s a difficult case, rather than investigate, the police register it as UD. In the absence of public pressure, the police don’t investigate seriously, even when there is enough evidence pointing towards murder.”
Auda Veigas of Bailancho Ekvott, who has been a panch witness for the police in several cases, agreed and said, “Whenever an unknown young woman’s body is found, the police immediately conclude that it may be a ‘outsider’s body’. Instead of investigating it as a case of murder, they dismiss it as an unnatural death and terminate investigations.”
Explaining the reasons behind the police tendency to register potential murders as UDs, former SP Alex Rasquinha said it is to avoid extensive paper work and to project a lower crime rate. “Once a case is registered as a murder, there are several formalities. Besides, a UD doesn’t reflect on the crime graph. The police don’t want to show an increase in murders with a low detection rate as it signifies a lack of supervision,” he said.
He added that the most common excuse the police adopt in keeping a case as UD is that the viscera report is awaited.
26 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Scarlett's organs sent to UK coroner, says mother
Scarlett's organs sent to UK coroner, says mother
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: Fiona MacKeown, mother of the slain British teenager Scarlett Keeling, said that the Indian authorities have finally released the remaining organs of her daughter and they have been sent to the coroner in the UK. However, Scarlett will not be buried till the investigations in India are over, she added.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, Fiona said, "I haven't received the organs yet, but everything is proceeding in the right direction. The CBI has released the organs. The organs won't come to me but go directly to the UK coroner".
Scarlett was found dead at the Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008. First, the police dismissed it as a case of unnatural death, but later they arrested two people for drugging and raping Scarlett before leaving her to die on the beach, but MacKeown alleged cover-up.
"There is half a uterus and a piece of liver and kidney as far as I know. The UK coroner is very keen to do tests on the uterus and the kidney. I expect the uterus will reveal Scarlett's sexual activities before she died and the kidney should reveal details of drink and drugs that were consumed before she died although tests on hair have already been done to expose this," she said.
Incidentally, MacKeown, while taking Scarlett's body to UK, had said that she would conduct tests in UK. But when the UK coroner revealed that several of her body parts were missing, MacKeown alleged that she was kept in the dark about the missing organs by the forensic doctors and police.
"I had expected them to take bits, samples, but I brought her back and there was a lot missing. Her spleen and her uterus. All that had gone. They told me it was normal procedure, but I tried to tie them down to find out what the exact procedure was, but there isn't one. It seems that they do what they want", she had said.
Though now happy that she has finally got her daughter's organs, she admitted that it would be sometime before she would be able to bury her daughter. "I don't think the coroner will let me bury her until the investigations are over in India. I don't even know when her body will be released to me," she added.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has approached the high court of Bombay at Goa for a letter of request to interrogate two British citizens in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Scarlett. In a petition filed in the court, the investigating agency has said that a letter rogatory, or a formal request, from the court is essential to question the victim's mother Mackeown and Charles Carter, who had allegedly seen Scarlett sometime before she was found dead on Anjuna beach. A letter rogatory is a formal communication sent by a court to a foreign court seeking the latter's assistance in recording the statements of witnesses residing there.
25 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: Fiona MacKeown, mother of the slain British teenager Scarlett Keeling, said that the Indian authorities have finally released the remaining organs of her daughter and they have been sent to the coroner in the UK. However, Scarlett will not be buried till the investigations in India are over, she added.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, Fiona said, "I haven't received the organs yet, but everything is proceeding in the right direction. The CBI has released the organs. The organs won't come to me but go directly to the UK coroner".
Scarlett was found dead at the Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008. First, the police dismissed it as a case of unnatural death, but later they arrested two people for drugging and raping Scarlett before leaving her to die on the beach, but MacKeown alleged cover-up.
"There is half a uterus and a piece of liver and kidney as far as I know. The UK coroner is very keen to do tests on the uterus and the kidney. I expect the uterus will reveal Scarlett's sexual activities before she died and the kidney should reveal details of drink and drugs that were consumed before she died although tests on hair have already been done to expose this," she said.
Incidentally, MacKeown, while taking Scarlett's body to UK, had said that she would conduct tests in UK. But when the UK coroner revealed that several of her body parts were missing, MacKeown alleged that she was kept in the dark about the missing organs by the forensic doctors and police.
"I had expected them to take bits, samples, but I brought her back and there was a lot missing. Her spleen and her uterus. All that had gone. They told me it was normal procedure, but I tried to tie them down to find out what the exact procedure was, but there isn't one. It seems that they do what they want", she had said.
Though now happy that she has finally got her daughter's organs, she admitted that it would be sometime before she would be able to bury her daughter. "I don't think the coroner will let me bury her until the investigations are over in India. I don't even know when her body will be released to me," she added.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has approached the high court of Bombay at Goa for a letter of request to interrogate two British citizens in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Scarlett. In a petition filed in the court, the investigating agency has said that a letter rogatory, or a formal request, from the court is essential to question the victim's mother Mackeown and Charles Carter, who had allegedly seen Scarlett sometime before she was found dead on Anjuna beach. A letter rogatory is a formal communication sent by a court to a foreign court seeking the latter's assistance in recording the statements of witnesses residing there.
25 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Mahanand raped me for 4 years, says victim
Mahanand raped me for 4 years, says victim
Preetu Nair & Rajeshree Nagarsekar, TNN
PANAJI: A rape survivor revealed that dupatta killer Mahanand Naik raped her everyday for four years and then lured her with gold, clothes and promises of marriage. When she objected, he threatened her, she alleged.
"For four years, he wouldn't allow me to talk to anyone. If I talked to a man, he would threaten me. Two years ago I got a marriage proposal from Ponda. Mahanand went to the boy and told him that I am his girl', thereby destroying my marriage prospects," revealed Reema Naik, 23.
She says that there were times when she wanted to attack him but was too afraid to do anything. "He threatened me with dire consequences and I believed him for four years. Every time he raped me, he warned that if I tried to break off or go to the police, then he will defame me with my semi-nude photos. He used to get frequent calls from girls on his mobile, but he would avoid speaking to them in my presence. I dared not question him, as my mind and heart were filled with fear," said Reema.
However, in April, the victim pulled the plug on Mahanand when she spilled the beans to the Ponda police. The police immediately arrested Mahanand for raping the 23-year-old. Later, while in custody, he confessed to killing 10 women after promising to marry them.
Mahanand now faces charges in connection with the alleged murder of 10 women and rape of the 23-year-old. The police also recovered the victim's photo as well as several mobile phones buried in a room at Mahanand's house in Shiroda, about 3 km away from her home.
Though she has forgotten how many times Mahanand raped her, she says that she still remembers that she was first raped on June 21, 2005 in Mahanand's house. She can still remember her helpless scream for help, which was reduced to a whisper in the coming years, she said.
Interestingly, Mahanand never beat her or tried to kill her. On the contrary, he lured her with promises of marriage, jewellery and clothes. "He gifted me clothes, gold jewellery and also promised to marry me. I had no option but to believe him as I had no one to turn to for help," she said.
She claims that she struggled to ignore her doubts. She kept trying to put the pieces together. "When I asked him how he, an unemployed person, got the money to purchase gifts for me, he dodged my questions, manipulated me and I kept on suppressing my growing suspicions out of fear and uncertainty," she said.
"I still picture him coming at odd times to my home, watching me, ready to abuse me. His presence shattered our lives and led to frequent fights with my younger sister," she added. For Reema, her struggle for justice has just started.
(Name of victim changed)
23 May 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair & Rajeshree Nagarsekar, TNN
PANAJI: A rape survivor revealed that dupatta killer Mahanand Naik raped her everyday for four years and then lured her with gold, clothes and promises of marriage. When she objected, he threatened her, she alleged.
"For four years, he wouldn't allow me to talk to anyone. If I talked to a man, he would threaten me. Two years ago I got a marriage proposal from Ponda. Mahanand went to the boy and told him that I am his girl', thereby destroying my marriage prospects," revealed Reema Naik, 23.
She says that there were times when she wanted to attack him but was too afraid to do anything. "He threatened me with dire consequences and I believed him for four years. Every time he raped me, he warned that if I tried to break off or go to the police, then he will defame me with my semi-nude photos. He used to get frequent calls from girls on his mobile, but he would avoid speaking to them in my presence. I dared not question him, as my mind and heart were filled with fear," said Reema.
However, in April, the victim pulled the plug on Mahanand when she spilled the beans to the Ponda police. The police immediately arrested Mahanand for raping the 23-year-old. Later, while in custody, he confessed to killing 10 women after promising to marry them.
Mahanand now faces charges in connection with the alleged murder of 10 women and rape of the 23-year-old. The police also recovered the victim's photo as well as several mobile phones buried in a room at Mahanand's house in Shiroda, about 3 km away from her home.
Though she has forgotten how many times Mahanand raped her, she says that she still remembers that she was first raped on June 21, 2005 in Mahanand's house. She can still remember her helpless scream for help, which was reduced to a whisper in the coming years, she said.
Interestingly, Mahanand never beat her or tried to kill her. On the contrary, he lured her with promises of marriage, jewellery and clothes. "He gifted me clothes, gold jewellery and also promised to marry me. I had no option but to believe him as I had no one to turn to for help," she said.
She claims that she struggled to ignore her doubts. She kept trying to put the pieces together. "When I asked him how he, an unemployed person, got the money to purchase gifts for me, he dodged my questions, manipulated me and I kept on suppressing my growing suspicions out of fear and uncertainty," she said.
"I still picture him coming at odd times to my home, watching me, ready to abuse me. His presence shattered our lives and led to frequent fights with my younger sister," she added. For Reema, her struggle for justice has just started.
(Name of victim changed)
23 May 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
'Deepali spoke to bro on May 19'
'Deepali spoke to bro on May 19'
Preetu Nair & Rajeshree Nagarsekar, TNN
PANAJI: The alleged kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Deepali Jotkar of Davorlim took an interesting turn on Friday with her parents informing the Maina Curtorim police that their son was recently in touch with Deepali.
Speaking to TOI, Deepali's mother Reshma said that Bhupendra informed them on Friday, that he received a call from Deepali on Tuesday (May 19) from a cellphone in Pune.
"My son told us that my Deepali had called him on his mobile and she was crying bitterly. She told him that she is in Pune and is not allowed to speak to anyone. This is the first call she made to us after she went missing in 2006," Reshma said, recalling that previous efforts by the family and police to contact Deepali on her cellphone had proved futile.
It may be recalled that the Jotkars on May 11, filed a case with the Maina Curtorim police outpost, alleging that Deepali was a possible victim of alleged murderer Mahanand Naik.
Drawing parallels between Mahanand's 10 victims and Deepali, the parents had told the police that on November 23, 2006, the day she disappeared, Deepali too was carrying cash and wearing jewellery. Moreover, she left home without informing her parents and left behind a note that said: "I am going to Mumbai with my boyfriend and we will get married. You don't search for me. Don't doubt or blame anyone". Neighbours too revealed that they had seen the alleged dupatta killer, who was known to the Jotkars, dropping Deepali close to her home almost everyday.
Adding fuel was the statement of Reema Naik (name changed), an alleged rape victim of Mahanand's, who told TOI that "Mahanand's wife suspected her husband was having an extra marital affair with Deepali".
"Once in 2006, Deepali even called Mahanand on his mobile. When I picked up the phone, she introduced herself and asked for Mahanand, who immediately came and cut the line. I have also seen her photograph at Mahanand's house," Reema had told TOI.
Police officials told TOI that the new turn of eventsthe mobile call from Punewould be inquired into.
Meanwhile, the Jotkars have another tale of woe. In 2005, younger daughter Pallavi, then 17, went missing.
"I worked in the Gulf as a housemaid for 14 years. I worked hard, sometimes under unhealthy conditions, just to ensure a better future for my daughters. But when I returned to Goa in 2005, Pallavi disappeared. A year later, so did Deepali. When efforts to trace them failed, we thought of lodging missing persons complaints, but were scared of the public backlash. We thought the girls were happy in their marital homes," Reshma told TOI.
However, when Mahanand's exploits came to light, things changed. "Both Deepali and Pallavi were close to Mahanand who had come to our house with them. They introduced him as their friend and we had given him the contract work to repair our house on our daughters' recommendations," recalled the mother.
With Mahanand allegedly confessing to the murders of 10 women, the senior Jotkars, who till recently believed their younger daughter was in Kolhapur with her husband, now feel that Pallavi too might have been killed by Mahanand.
"All this while we were ashamed that our daughters had eloped. We were scared to face people. But not anymore. We will lodge another complaint with the police against Mahanand, this time for kidnapping Pallavi," father Dattaram told TOI.
The parents had consulted astrologers. "An astrologer recently told me that my daughter is alive," said Reshma, adding, "I just want to see both my daughters."
23 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair & Rajeshree Nagarsekar, TNN
PANAJI: The alleged kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Deepali Jotkar of Davorlim took an interesting turn on Friday with her parents informing the Maina Curtorim police that their son was recently in touch with Deepali.
Speaking to TOI, Deepali's mother Reshma said that Bhupendra informed them on Friday, that he received a call from Deepali on Tuesday (May 19) from a cellphone in Pune.
"My son told us that my Deepali had called him on his mobile and she was crying bitterly. She told him that she is in Pune and is not allowed to speak to anyone. This is the first call she made to us after she went missing in 2006," Reshma said, recalling that previous efforts by the family and police to contact Deepali on her cellphone had proved futile.
It may be recalled that the Jotkars on May 11, filed a case with the Maina Curtorim police outpost, alleging that Deepali was a possible victim of alleged murderer Mahanand Naik.
Drawing parallels between Mahanand's 10 victims and Deepali, the parents had told the police that on November 23, 2006, the day she disappeared, Deepali too was carrying cash and wearing jewellery. Moreover, she left home without informing her parents and left behind a note that said: "I am going to Mumbai with my boyfriend and we will get married. You don't search for me. Don't doubt or blame anyone". Neighbours too revealed that they had seen the alleged dupatta killer, who was known to the Jotkars, dropping Deepali close to her home almost everyday.
Adding fuel was the statement of Reema Naik (name changed), an alleged rape victim of Mahanand's, who told TOI that "Mahanand's wife suspected her husband was having an extra marital affair with Deepali".
"Once in 2006, Deepali even called Mahanand on his mobile. When I picked up the phone, she introduced herself and asked for Mahanand, who immediately came and cut the line. I have also seen her photograph at Mahanand's house," Reema had told TOI.
Police officials told TOI that the new turn of eventsthe mobile call from Punewould be inquired into.
Meanwhile, the Jotkars have another tale of woe. In 2005, younger daughter Pallavi, then 17, went missing.
"I worked in the Gulf as a housemaid for 14 years. I worked hard, sometimes under unhealthy conditions, just to ensure a better future for my daughters. But when I returned to Goa in 2005, Pallavi disappeared. A year later, so did Deepali. When efforts to trace them failed, we thought of lodging missing persons complaints, but were scared of the public backlash. We thought the girls were happy in their marital homes," Reshma told TOI.
However, when Mahanand's exploits came to light, things changed. "Both Deepali and Pallavi were close to Mahanand who had come to our house with them. They introduced him as their friend and we had given him the contract work to repair our house on our daughters' recommendations," recalled the mother.
With Mahanand allegedly confessing to the murders of 10 women, the senior Jotkars, who till recently believed their younger daughter was in Kolhapur with her husband, now feel that Pallavi too might have been killed by Mahanand.
"All this while we were ashamed that our daughters had eloped. We were scared to face people. But not anymore. We will lodge another complaint with the police against Mahanand, this time for kidnapping Pallavi," father Dattaram told TOI.
The parents had consulted astrologers. "An astrologer recently told me that my daughter is alive," said Reshma, adding, "I just want to see both my daughters."
23 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, May 22, 2009
'Elena could hardly talk English'
'Elena could hardly talk English'
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Elena Sukhonova, the Russian teenager whose mutilated body was found on a railway track in Goa on May 8, could not speak English. This places in doubt the claim that she took a taxi ride to Thivim railway station and told the driver she was short of money and wanted to go to Mumbai.
People working in the coastal belt and who had come in contact with Elena say she showed no interest in staying in Goa, couldn’t speak any English and mostly communicated through sign language. The little English she spoke was with great difficulty. “Whenever we wanted to communicate with her, we used the services of a translator. She would try to talk in sign language. The only words in English she could say were single words like ‘water’, ‘hello’, ‘bye’, ‘mineral’, ‘party’, and that too with great difficulty,” said an employee of the hotel where Elena stayed after her arrival in Goa on April 19.
A cop at Calangute police station, where Elena had deposed after she had gone missing on an earlier instance, said, “She could hardly speak in English and we recorded her statement with the help of a translator.”
In his statement to the police, the cab driver said he had dropped Elena at Thivim station at about 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned that she wanted to go to Mumbai. Police have, however, failed to find any witness who saw her at the station.
Reacting to this, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, “The inquiry is in progress. We are looking into all aspects of the case.”
Representatives of the tour operator that brought Elena to Goa had got in touch with her family after she went missing. “She was supposed to board a flight to Russia on May 3, but when she went missing we informed her parents in Russia. They too told us she was not responding to calls on her cellphone,” said officials at the agency.
22 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Elena Sukhonova, the Russian teenager whose mutilated body was found on a railway track in Goa on May 8, could not speak English. This places in doubt the claim that she took a taxi ride to Thivim railway station and told the driver she was short of money and wanted to go to Mumbai.
People working in the coastal belt and who had come in contact with Elena say she showed no interest in staying in Goa, couldn’t speak any English and mostly communicated through sign language. The little English she spoke was with great difficulty. “Whenever we wanted to communicate with her, we used the services of a translator. She would try to talk in sign language. The only words in English she could say were single words like ‘water’, ‘hello’, ‘bye’, ‘mineral’, ‘party’, and that too with great difficulty,” said an employee of the hotel where Elena stayed after her arrival in Goa on April 19.
A cop at Calangute police station, where Elena had deposed after she had gone missing on an earlier instance, said, “She could hardly speak in English and we recorded her statement with the help of a translator.”
In his statement to the police, the cab driver said he had dropped Elena at Thivim station at about 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned that she wanted to go to Mumbai. Police have, however, failed to find any witness who saw her at the station.
Reacting to this, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, “The inquiry is in progress. We are looking into all aspects of the case.”
Representatives of the tour operator that brought Elena to Goa had got in touch with her family after she went missing. “She was supposed to board a flight to Russia on May 3, but when she went missing we informed her parents in Russia. They too told us she was not responding to calls on her cellphone,” said officials at the agency.
22 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, May 21, 2009
My life has become living hell: Pooja Naik
My life has become living hell: Pooja Naik
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Pooja Naik's world collapsed when her husband was arrested in the last week of April for raping her friend. Since then she has learnt that her husband, Mahanand, has confessed to killing 9 women.
As if that weren't enough, Pooja claims she and her 18 month old daughter have been "socially ostracized" by the villagers of Shiroda for no fault of theirs.
"Some people have said they would kill me and my daughter with a dupatta, in the same way my husband killed other women. I am scared. Why am I and my daughter being punished for my husband's sins? No one can ever understand my pain and suffering. Our lives have become a living hell," said Pooja.
An angry mob recently set alight their home in Shiroda, and marched to Ponda police station demanding Pooja's arrest. From then on, Pooja has been seeking refuge at a friend's place or at her parent's home in Sanvordem, as some homes for women, fearing a public blacklash, have refused to shelter her.
On Monday afternoon, Pooja was at the Panaji police station seeking rehabilitation and was sent to a safe destination with the help of the NGO Bailancho Ekvott. "I'm scared of being recognized. The pressure is killing me and I feel suicidal at times," she said.
"I never thought that my husband could kill women. Which wife will suspect her loving and kind husband of murder? In the last 11 years of marriage, I had no reason to suspect him," said Pooja. She now believes otherwise.
"I met him (Mahanand) in jail recently and asked him if he had committed the murders or if he was being framed. For the first time in our relationship, he didn't reply and sat for minutes together with his head bent, even as I repeated the question," said Pooja, who works as a clerk in a central government organization.
"It was then that my world collapsed. I wondered whether he was the same person who had never even lifted his hand against me and would pack my lunch tiffin daily," she said.
Pooja and Mahanand were married in 1998. Theirs was an arranged marriage. "A cousin had married Mahanand's relative and she was happy. When Mahanand proposed, everyone agreed. I was happy because he worked as an autorickshaw driver and didn't drink," recollects Pooja, who comes from a lower middle income family from Sanvordem. The couple had a daughter 10 years later.
Mahanand's first alleged murder was in 1994 and he has confessed to killing eight other women during the last 15 years. Police believe there could be a dozen more. However, they maintain there is no evidence to suspect Pooja's involvement in any of the alleged murders.
Incidentally, the Ponda police on Monday recorded Pooja's statement with regard to the killing of nine women by her husband. She has revealed that Mahanand was well-off despite being unemployed, the police said. Pooja has neither been detained nor arrested.
"As the case stands today, there is no evidence of his wife's involvement in the murders," said deputy superintendent of police (Ponda) Serafin Dias.
But people are not willing to listen. "People look at me with suspicion. They feel that I supported my husband in his crimes. My fault is that I didn't distrust him. He was jobless. Occasionally he brought home money. When I questioned him he would say that he had taken up painting work or borrowed money from his mother. I had no reason to doubt him," she added.
Another woman reported missing
PONDA: Another case of a missing woman has been registered with the Ponda police on Monday against Mahanand Naik, the alleged 40-year-old dupatta killer' from Shiroda.
Ponda police inspector C L said that Nirmal Satarkar has registered a complaint that her sister, Bhagi Fondu Satarkar, 30, has been missing from Bhootkhamb Keri in Ponda since the year 2004.
As per the complaint, the 30-year-old woman had left her home in 2004 with jewellery which included golden bangles, a necklace, two earrings and a chain.
19 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Pooja Naik's world collapsed when her husband was arrested in the last week of April for raping her friend. Since then she has learnt that her husband, Mahanand, has confessed to killing 9 women.
As if that weren't enough, Pooja claims she and her 18 month old daughter have been "socially ostracized" by the villagers of Shiroda for no fault of theirs.
"Some people have said they would kill me and my daughter with a dupatta, in the same way my husband killed other women. I am scared. Why am I and my daughter being punished for my husband's sins? No one can ever understand my pain and suffering. Our lives have become a living hell," said Pooja.
An angry mob recently set alight their home in Shiroda, and marched to Ponda police station demanding Pooja's arrest. From then on, Pooja has been seeking refuge at a friend's place or at her parent's home in Sanvordem, as some homes for women, fearing a public blacklash, have refused to shelter her.
On Monday afternoon, Pooja was at the Panaji police station seeking rehabilitation and was sent to a safe destination with the help of the NGO Bailancho Ekvott. "I'm scared of being recognized. The pressure is killing me and I feel suicidal at times," she said.
"I never thought that my husband could kill women. Which wife will suspect her loving and kind husband of murder? In the last 11 years of marriage, I had no reason to suspect him," said Pooja. She now believes otherwise.
"I met him (Mahanand) in jail recently and asked him if he had committed the murders or if he was being framed. For the first time in our relationship, he didn't reply and sat for minutes together with his head bent, even as I repeated the question," said Pooja, who works as a clerk in a central government organization.
"It was then that my world collapsed. I wondered whether he was the same person who had never even lifted his hand against me and would pack my lunch tiffin daily," she said.
Pooja and Mahanand were married in 1998. Theirs was an arranged marriage. "A cousin had married Mahanand's relative and she was happy. When Mahanand proposed, everyone agreed. I was happy because he worked as an autorickshaw driver and didn't drink," recollects Pooja, who comes from a lower middle income family from Sanvordem. The couple had a daughter 10 years later.
Mahanand's first alleged murder was in 1994 and he has confessed to killing eight other women during the last 15 years. Police believe there could be a dozen more. However, they maintain there is no evidence to suspect Pooja's involvement in any of the alleged murders.
Incidentally, the Ponda police on Monday recorded Pooja's statement with regard to the killing of nine women by her husband. She has revealed that Mahanand was well-off despite being unemployed, the police said. Pooja has neither been detained nor arrested.
"As the case stands today, there is no evidence of his wife's involvement in the murders," said deputy superintendent of police (Ponda) Serafin Dias.
But people are not willing to listen. "People look at me with suspicion. They feel that I supported my husband in his crimes. My fault is that I didn't distrust him. He was jobless. Occasionally he brought home money. When I questioned him he would say that he had taken up painting work or borrowed money from his mother. I had no reason to doubt him," she added.
Another woman reported missing
PONDA: Another case of a missing woman has been registered with the Ponda police on Monday against Mahanand Naik, the alleged 40-year-old dupatta killer' from Shiroda.
Ponda police inspector C L said that Nirmal Satarkar has registered a complaint that her sister, Bhagi Fondu Satarkar, 30, has been missing from Bhootkhamb Keri in Ponda since the year 2004.
As per the complaint, the 30-year-old woman had left her home in 2004 with jewellery which included golden bangles, a necklace, two earrings and a chain.
19 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa election officers called 'morally inept'
Goa election officers called 'morally inept'
TNN
PANAJI: Goa Legislative Assembly's ad hoc committee on home issued an "admonition" against chief electoral officer and assistant electoral officer for writing to the Goa legislature secretariat questioning the committee's powers, functions and duties.
The admonition was issued on Wednesday during the ad hoc committee meeting on home in response to a letter send by AEO Arvind Bugde on May 14, which stated that officers of the Goa government require clearance from the Election Commission of India for appearance before the Committee and also sought a copy of the Rules of Procedure that constituted the Committee. The letter was approved by CEO Ajit Srivastava and home minister Ravi Naik.
The admonition notes that Bugde and Srivastava have displayed utter ignorance of the working of the Constitution of India and the fragile balance of power between various organs of the state. "The Committee comes to the conclusion that both the officers are professionally delinquent and morally inept to hold public office in such senior capacities in the government," it states. Srivastava requested the committee that a show cause notice should be issued to them before issuing the "admonition", but the committee declined. Later, Srivastava said that his objection should be recorded, but that plea was also not entertained by the committee which said "any act in the nature of repetition of the present misdemeanor will warrant a stronger action against each one of them".
The ad hoc committee meeting on home was called to hear the views of the public on issues coming under the jurisdiction of the Committee. The Committee heard the chairman of ad hoc committee Manohar Parrikar and the CEO at its meeting on May 20, and after hearing them, the Committee said that they have "come to the conclusion that both the officers have grossly breached the privileges of the Committee by stating that government officers have to take clearance from the Election Commission of India to appear before the Committee since model Code of Conduct is in force and by seeking a copy of the Rules of Procedure of the House that constituted the Committee".
Parrikar observed, "The Goa Legislative Assembly and its committees are sovereign bodies which function within the Constitutionally laid out perimeter. No law which has not been made either by Parliament or the state legislature can encumber such powers, privileges and immunities".
"The Committee's attention is also drawn to the principle of accountability of the executive to the Legislature as enshrined in article 164 (2) of the Constitution of India which cannot be extinguished even for a second for any reason whatsoever. Committees of the Legislature are the nodal apparatus through which the said article is machinated", he noted.
Further, emphasizing that the Legislature and its Committees do not require anyone's clearance for performing their functions, he said, "No one can be as audacious as the said officers of the government of Goa, to call for the Rules of Procedure of the House with an intention to question the Legislature and its Committees which is a brazen assault on the people's rights and liberties to have their representatives function through the House and its Committees and is the most pernicious attempt to stifle the voice of the people as represented in these institutions". The Chief Secretary also has been asked to make a mention in their personal confidential dossiers about the fact of having received this admonition at the hands of this Committee.
May 21,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Goa Legislative Assembly's ad hoc committee on home issued an "admonition" against chief electoral officer and assistant electoral officer for writing to the Goa legislature secretariat questioning the committee's powers, functions and duties.
The admonition was issued on Wednesday during the ad hoc committee meeting on home in response to a letter send by AEO Arvind Bugde on May 14, which stated that officers of the Goa government require clearance from the Election Commission of India for appearance before the Committee and also sought a copy of the Rules of Procedure that constituted the Committee. The letter was approved by CEO Ajit Srivastava and home minister Ravi Naik.
The admonition notes that Bugde and Srivastava have displayed utter ignorance of the working of the Constitution of India and the fragile balance of power between various organs of the state. "The Committee comes to the conclusion that both the officers are professionally delinquent and morally inept to hold public office in such senior capacities in the government," it states. Srivastava requested the committee that a show cause notice should be issued to them before issuing the "admonition", but the committee declined. Later, Srivastava said that his objection should be recorded, but that plea was also not entertained by the committee which said "any act in the nature of repetition of the present misdemeanor will warrant a stronger action against each one of them".
The ad hoc committee meeting on home was called to hear the views of the public on issues coming under the jurisdiction of the Committee. The Committee heard the chairman of ad hoc committee Manohar Parrikar and the CEO at its meeting on May 20, and after hearing them, the Committee said that they have "come to the conclusion that both the officers have grossly breached the privileges of the Committee by stating that government officers have to take clearance from the Election Commission of India to appear before the Committee since model Code of Conduct is in force and by seeking a copy of the Rules of Procedure of the House that constituted the Committee".
Parrikar observed, "The Goa Legislative Assembly and its committees are sovereign bodies which function within the Constitutionally laid out perimeter. No law which has not been made either by Parliament or the state legislature can encumber such powers, privileges and immunities".
"The Committee's attention is also drawn to the principle of accountability of the executive to the Legislature as enshrined in article 164 (2) of the Constitution of India which cannot be extinguished even for a second for any reason whatsoever. Committees of the Legislature are the nodal apparatus through which the said article is machinated", he noted.
Further, emphasizing that the Legislature and its Committees do not require anyone's clearance for performing their functions, he said, "No one can be as audacious as the said officers of the government of Goa, to call for the Rules of Procedure of the House with an intention to question the Legislature and its Committees which is a brazen assault on the people's rights and liberties to have their representatives function through the House and its Committees and is the most pernicious attempt to stifle the voice of the people as represented in these institutions". The Chief Secretary also has been asked to make a mention in their personal confidential dossiers about the fact of having received this admonition at the hands of this Committee.
May 21,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panandiker snubs govt, declines office
Panandiker snubs govt, declines office
Preetu Nair
PANAJI: V A Pai Panandiker, academician and founder president of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, has declined an invitation to be a member of the Goa State Planning Board.
Citing his reasons, in a letter to the chief minister dated May 14, Panandiker noted that “the priorities and performance of planning have declined precipitously, especially in the 21st century” in Goa and that there is an “increasing dissonance between the priorities of the people and of the government”.
Panandiker also stated that “except for Goa’s real estate, there is no political constituency for the next phase of Goa’s evolution” and refused to sit on the Planning Board as it “does not serve any useful purpose and I certainly do not wish to impose my costs on the people of Goa”.
The planning board is the state’s highest policy advisory body, making recommendations on macro-economic policies and the implementation of development plans, and has the CM as its chairperson.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat, however, denied knowledge of the letter. “I am in Delhi at the moment and I don’t know about it,” Kamat told TOI.
In his letter Panandiker also states, “I do feel deeply concerned about the people of Goa, especially the young children who constitute our future. The political priorities being so different from what the people need or desire, there is an increasing dissonance between the priorities of the people and those of the government. This bodes ill for our future.”
20 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair
PANAJI: V A Pai Panandiker, academician and founder president of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, has declined an invitation to be a member of the Goa State Planning Board.
Citing his reasons, in a letter to the chief minister dated May 14, Panandiker noted that “the priorities and performance of planning have declined precipitously, especially in the 21st century” in Goa and that there is an “increasing dissonance between the priorities of the people and of the government”.
Panandiker also stated that “except for Goa’s real estate, there is no political constituency for the next phase of Goa’s evolution” and refused to sit on the Planning Board as it “does not serve any useful purpose and I certainly do not wish to impose my costs on the people of Goa”.
The planning board is the state’s highest policy advisory body, making recommendations on macro-economic policies and the implementation of development plans, and has the CM as its chairperson.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat, however, denied knowledge of the letter. “I am in Delhi at the moment and I don’t know about it,” Kamat told TOI.
In his letter Panandiker also states, “I do feel deeply concerned about the people of Goa, especially the young children who constitute our future. The political priorities being so different from what the people need or desire, there is an increasing dissonance between the priorities of the people and those of the government. This bodes ill for our future.”
20 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, May 18, 2009
Train drivers say they didn't run over Russian girl
Train drivers say they didn't run over Russian girl
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The drivers of three express trains that passed Thivim railway station on the night of May 8, have told Mapusa police that no train ran
over the Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova. They have, however, not ruled out the possibility of a runover which went unnoticed, said police sources.
Elena's mutilated body was found by a railway gangman at 7.45am, about 3.5 km from Thivim railway station. Police investigations revealed that she was dropped at the station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am.
Speaking to TOI, police sources said that the drivers of Mangala Express which left Thivim railway station at 5.02am, Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am (both proceeding to Mumbai) and Veraval Express which reached the station at 7.35 am (proceeding to Kerala), claimed that they did not see anything on the tracks nor reported any runover or chain pulling incident in their respective trains on May 8.
This has left the police "intrigued". They had initially expressed the possibility of an accidental fall from either Mangala Express or Netravati Express, both bound for Mumbai.
"Elena was travelling with just her handbag, without either her passport nor luggage. Had she fallen out of either Mangala Express or Netravati Express, she would have been found on the tracks by the driver of Hapa Express. But the main loco pilot of Hapa Express said that neither did they see anything nor report any runover," police sources revealed.
The driver told police, sources said, that in the past there had been several cases of people run over by a train, which had been reported to the nearest railway station, but this time they had not seen anything on the tracks. And while the three train drivers maintain that they did not run over any body, they did not rule out the possibility of a runover.
"They said that they may have run over something, but may have not realized or noticed, as they have to manage several things at once. Apart from looking for the signal they also have to maintain a speed of 110km/hr, ensure that the oil pressure and diesel pressure are good and also handle other aspects," police sources said. Each train has one main and one assistant loco pilot. All were grilled for hours by police officers.
"The drivers said that if anything is lying on the tracks it is visible only from 100m. Even if they apply brakes at that distance, the train doesn't immediately halt. It comes to a halt nearly 600m away from where the break is applied. So the possibility of stopping the train to avoid a runover is remote," said police sources.
They further revealed that the drivers told them that in case of a runover, they don't stop the train to check, but rather, they inform the nearest railway station and the railway control room. "They said that for every minute lost, they have to give an explanation," police sources said.
These statements, incidentally, are in contrast to the statement given by the Thivim railway station master, who had said that if a train's driver spots any obstruction on the tracks he stops the train, clears the tracks and then proceeds.
Police also said that the main loco pilot of Mangala Express said that he had not seen anything on the tracks as it was dark and though as per the train standard the train should have had a headlight with visibility up to 240m, the headlight's actual visibility, when it passed through the route on May 8, was only 140m.
Elena was carrying her mobile and police claim that she had even clicked a photograph of a goods wagon passing Thivim railway station a few hours before her death, thus establishing her presence at the railway station at about 3.25am. Police sources added, "This was the last time the mobile was used."
Meanwhile, another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job in the hotel at Baga as he was friendly with the Russian girl has arrived in Goa along with his father. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
May 18,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The drivers of three express trains that passed Thivim railway station on the night of May 8, have told Mapusa police that no train ran
over the Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova. They have, however, not ruled out the possibility of a runover which went unnoticed, said police sources.
Elena's mutilated body was found by a railway gangman at 7.45am, about 3.5 km from Thivim railway station. Police investigations revealed that she was dropped at the station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am.
Speaking to TOI, police sources said that the drivers of Mangala Express which left Thivim railway station at 5.02am, Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am (both proceeding to Mumbai) and Veraval Express which reached the station at 7.35 am (proceeding to Kerala), claimed that they did not see anything on the tracks nor reported any runover or chain pulling incident in their respective trains on May 8.
This has left the police "intrigued". They had initially expressed the possibility of an accidental fall from either Mangala Express or Netravati Express, both bound for Mumbai.
"Elena was travelling with just her handbag, without either her passport nor luggage. Had she fallen out of either Mangala Express or Netravati Express, she would have been found on the tracks by the driver of Hapa Express. But the main loco pilot of Hapa Express said that neither did they see anything nor report any runover," police sources revealed.
The driver told police, sources said, that in the past there had been several cases of people run over by a train, which had been reported to the nearest railway station, but this time they had not seen anything on the tracks. And while the three train drivers maintain that they did not run over any body, they did not rule out the possibility of a runover.
"They said that they may have run over something, but may have not realized or noticed, as they have to manage several things at once. Apart from looking for the signal they also have to maintain a speed of 110km/hr, ensure that the oil pressure and diesel pressure are good and also handle other aspects," police sources said. Each train has one main and one assistant loco pilot. All were grilled for hours by police officers.
"The drivers said that if anything is lying on the tracks it is visible only from 100m. Even if they apply brakes at that distance, the train doesn't immediately halt. It comes to a halt nearly 600m away from where the break is applied. So the possibility of stopping the train to avoid a runover is remote," said police sources.
They further revealed that the drivers told them that in case of a runover, they don't stop the train to check, but rather, they inform the nearest railway station and the railway control room. "They said that for every minute lost, they have to give an explanation," police sources said.
These statements, incidentally, are in contrast to the statement given by the Thivim railway station master, who had said that if a train's driver spots any obstruction on the tracks he stops the train, clears the tracks and then proceeds.
Police also said that the main loco pilot of Mangala Express said that he had not seen anything on the tracks as it was dark and though as per the train standard the train should have had a headlight with visibility up to 240m, the headlight's actual visibility, when it passed through the route on May 8, was only 140m.
Elena was carrying her mobile and police claim that she had even clicked a photograph of a goods wagon passing Thivim railway station a few hours before her death, thus establishing her presence at the railway station at about 3.25am. Police sources added, "This was the last time the mobile was used."
Meanwhile, another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job in the hotel at Baga as he was friendly with the Russian girl has arrived in Goa along with his father. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
May 18,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Rail men split over Elena's death
Rail men split over Elena's death
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Konkan railway officials appear to be divided over the manner in which Elena Sukhonova, 19, could have died. The Russian teenager’s mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station on May 8.
While KRC PRO Baban Ghatge, says that in his six years of service as PRO he has never seen anyone fall from the train onto the tracks, two ticket checkers told the police this was possible. Ghatge, was called by the cops after he disputed their theory that Elena could have fallen from the train and come under the wheels of the train.
“It is my opinion that if someone falls from the train, they will fall away from the tracks and not on the tracks. This statement is based on six years of experience with the KRC,” said Ghatge.
Two ticket collectors, however, dispute this. “We have recorded the statements of two ticket checkers who told us that there have been cases wherein passengers falling from trains have fallen on the tracks,” said a senior police official.
Backing his theory, Ghatge said, “We have come across several cases of people falling from running trains, but no one was dragged onto the tracks. I have also discussed the matter with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).” Ghatge admitted that he has not visited the spot where the Russian’s body was found.
The Konkan railway official reiterated that his statements to the media were not in his official capacity but his personal opinion. He said that KRC has no official comment to issue in the case. “Our only official statement is that the police are investigating the case and they should be allowed to carry out the investigations,” said Ghatge.
He also said that not a single foreigner purchased a ticket from Thivim station during the early hours of May 8. “We have also submitted a list of reserved passengers to the police and Elena’s name doesn’t figure in it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the sessions court rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach.
16 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Konkan railway officials appear to be divided over the manner in which Elena Sukhonova, 19, could have died. The Russian teenager’s mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station on May 8.
While KRC PRO Baban Ghatge, says that in his six years of service as PRO he has never seen anyone fall from the train onto the tracks, two ticket checkers told the police this was possible. Ghatge, was called by the cops after he disputed their theory that Elena could have fallen from the train and come under the wheels of the train.
“It is my opinion that if someone falls from the train, they will fall away from the tracks and not on the tracks. This statement is based on six years of experience with the KRC,” said Ghatge.
Two ticket collectors, however, dispute this. “We have recorded the statements of two ticket checkers who told us that there have been cases wherein passengers falling from trains have fallen on the tracks,” said a senior police official.
Backing his theory, Ghatge said, “We have come across several cases of people falling from running trains, but no one was dragged onto the tracks. I have also discussed the matter with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).” Ghatge admitted that he has not visited the spot where the Russian’s body was found.
The Konkan railway official reiterated that his statements to the media were not in his official capacity but his personal opinion. He said that KRC has no official comment to issue in the case. “Our only official statement is that the police are investigating the case and they should be allowed to carry out the investigations,” said Ghatge.
He also said that not a single foreigner purchased a ticket from Thivim station during the early hours of May 8. “We have also submitted a list of reserved passengers to the police and Elena’s name doesn’t figure in it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the sessions court rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach.
16 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Each doctor in Goa costs state Rs 77.44 lakhs
Each doctor in Goa costs state Rs 77.44 lakhs
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The state spends approximately Rs 77.44 lakh on every student graduating from the Goa medical college and hospital, yet once armed with a medical degree few of them opt for government service.
Over 95% of doctors who obtain their degree through the GMC never work in the public sector. “Majority of the doctors don’t stay on in Goa. They either go abroad for higher studies or join other institutes or corporate hospitals as the salary is higher,” said head of department of pathology and medical education cell of GMC Dr R Wiseman Pinto.
There are currently 56 vacancies at the GMC (28 senior residents and 27 consultants), and 80 at the directorate of health services for doctors and other specialists. As many as nine DHS health centres are functioning without a medical officer.
Pinto conducted a survey, a first-of-its-kind study, to determine the cost of training at GMC. This was computed through the traditional method of total expenses as against the number of the students, he said. The Rs 77.44 lakh includes direct costs (faculty salaries and stipends) and indirect costs (non-teaching personnel salaries, equipment, books, civil works, machinery and scholarships) incurred by the state’s only teaching hospital.
“For any student, the entire expenditure at GMC has to be taken into account because all expenses are for the students’ benefit. There are at present about 547 students at the GMC,” said Dr Pinto.
As against the expenditure, general category students pay a fee of about Rs 1.14 lakh for the MBBS course, while reserved category students pay Rs 58,620 and all India students pay about Rs 1.15 lakh. This doesn’t include the hostel fee of Rs 1,000 per year.
There is, however, a solution to curb the brain drain, though the government is yet to implement it.
“Medical students joining the course sign a bond which has a clause that should the government require them to work in the public sector for a year, they would have to do so. In case they fail to work then they would have to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh if they have a MBBS degree or Rs 3 lakh if they have a PG qualification,” said Pinto.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The state spends approximately Rs 77.44 lakh on every student graduating from the Goa medical college and hospital, yet once armed with a medical degree few of them opt for government service.
Over 95% of doctors who obtain their degree through the GMC never work in the public sector. “Majority of the doctors don’t stay on in Goa. They either go abroad for higher studies or join other institutes or corporate hospitals as the salary is higher,” said head of department of pathology and medical education cell of GMC Dr R Wiseman Pinto.
There are currently 56 vacancies at the GMC (28 senior residents and 27 consultants), and 80 at the directorate of health services for doctors and other specialists. As many as nine DHS health centres are functioning without a medical officer.
Pinto conducted a survey, a first-of-its-kind study, to determine the cost of training at GMC. This was computed through the traditional method of total expenses as against the number of the students, he said. The Rs 77.44 lakh includes direct costs (faculty salaries and stipends) and indirect costs (non-teaching personnel salaries, equipment, books, civil works, machinery and scholarships) incurred by the state’s only teaching hospital.
“For any student, the entire expenditure at GMC has to be taken into account because all expenses are for the students’ benefit. There are at present about 547 students at the GMC,” said Dr Pinto.
As against the expenditure, general category students pay a fee of about Rs 1.14 lakh for the MBBS course, while reserved category students pay Rs 58,620 and all India students pay about Rs 1.15 lakh. This doesn’t include the hostel fee of Rs 1,000 per year.
There is, however, a solution to curb the brain drain, though the government is yet to implement it.
“Medical students joining the course sign a bond which has a clause that should the government require them to work in the public sector for a year, they would have to do so. In case they fail to work then they would have to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh if they have a MBBS degree or Rs 3 lakh if they have a PG qualification,” said Pinto.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Cases of undetected crimes on rise in state
Cases of undetected crimes on rise in state
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: From the years 2004 to 2008 an average of around 34% to 38% crime cases go undetected in the state, reveals the statement of crime of
the Goa police for the last five years from 2004 to 2008.
However, an average of 62 to 65% crime cases have been detected and almost a similar or lesser number of cases chargesheeted. But compare this to national statistics, wherein the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has stated that about 80.1% of cognizable crimes were chargesheeted.
Between 2004 and 2008, the state has seen an increase in incidents of theft and burglary. But the number of undetected cases outnumbers those detected. About 946 cases burglary and 1639 cases of theft in last five years still remain undetected. In contrast, the number of cases of burglary and theft detected in last five years is 426 and 950 respectively. The police, however, have been able to detect 61 robbery cases of the total 109 cases from 2004 to 2008. Of the 22 dacoities, 8 remain undetected. In cases of cheating, if the police have been able to crack 219 cases in the last 5 years, then 115 lie undetected.
Goa, in the last 5 years, witnessed 205 murders, of which 54 are still undetected. There have been 129 rapes of which 118 have been detected. About 94 cases of kidnapping were registered in the last 5 years. Of these, 19 is still undetected.
Even as counterfeiting notes as well as documents have become a major cause of worry in the state, the Goa police's effort to crackdown on those who indulge in such activities doesn't seem to have yielded results. This is dramatized by the fact that of the 49 counterfeiting cases, only 8 have been detected in the last five years. There has been 1082 fatal accidents in the state from 2004 to 2008, of which about 209 are still undetected.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: From the years 2004 to 2008 an average of around 34% to 38% crime cases go undetected in the state, reveals the statement of crime of
the Goa police for the last five years from 2004 to 2008.
However, an average of 62 to 65% crime cases have been detected and almost a similar or lesser number of cases chargesheeted. But compare this to national statistics, wherein the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has stated that about 80.1% of cognizable crimes were chargesheeted.
Between 2004 and 2008, the state has seen an increase in incidents of theft and burglary. But the number of undetected cases outnumbers those detected. About 946 cases burglary and 1639 cases of theft in last five years still remain undetected. In contrast, the number of cases of burglary and theft detected in last five years is 426 and 950 respectively. The police, however, have been able to detect 61 robbery cases of the total 109 cases from 2004 to 2008. Of the 22 dacoities, 8 remain undetected. In cases of cheating, if the police have been able to crack 219 cases in the last 5 years, then 115 lie undetected.
Goa, in the last 5 years, witnessed 205 murders, of which 54 are still undetected. There have been 129 rapes of which 118 have been detected. About 94 cases of kidnapping were registered in the last 5 years. Of these, 19 is still undetected.
Even as counterfeiting notes as well as documents have become a major cause of worry in the state, the Goa police's effort to crackdown on those who indulge in such activities doesn't seem to have yielded results. This is dramatized by the fact that of the 49 counterfeiting cases, only 8 have been detected in the last five years. There has been 1082 fatal accidents in the state from 2004 to 2008, of which about 209 are still undetected.
15 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Preetu Nair, TNN
Mystery deepens
While a shack owner filed for anticipatory bail; KRC officials said no driver reported a run over. On Wednesday, the mystery of the Russian girl’s mutilated body found on railway tracks close to Thivim station left a baffled police force looking at four possibilities. Preetu Nair reports
A shack owner has filed for anticipatory bail fearing arrest for the death of Elena Sukhonova, a 19-year-old Russian whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station.
Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach, in his anticipatory bail application before the Sessions Court in Panaji, said, "The police are bent upon arresting the applicant and detaining him in police custody. The applicant has not committed any offence in connection with the case of the death of the Russian lady."
Police sources told TOI that Vishant’s presence "is required for questioning" since, during investigations, they learnt that the shack owner, also called Vinnie, was friendly with Elena.
Vishant however, denied this, "I am not called Vinnie nor was I friendly with the girl. I must have met her once or twice when she came to my shack. She was friendly with Vinay, who is called Vinnie, who was working as a waiter in my shack."
The Russian, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had deposed before the Calangute police then and said that she was touring with Vinnie and was in love with him.
"Police have registered it as a case of unnatural death. When it is a case of unnatural death, then under section 174 read with section 175 of CrPC, a person can only be called for verifying the condition of the body and not for interrogation, nor can he be detained as contemplated in a crime case," explained Kundaikar’s counsel Ranjit Satardekar.
Meanwhile, Konkan railway officials, who have already ruled out the police theory that Elena must have fallen or been pushed out of a moving train, now claim that a train may not even have run over her on the tracks. This despite the fact that the post-mortem report states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by an object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock".
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO, Baban Ghatge, told TOI, "If there is a train run over, then the train driver has to report the matter to the next station. Nothing has been reported either by the train driver of Netravati Express or the Mandovi Express that followed it. Even the train driver of Veraval Express (which ran between 7.15am and 7.20am on the spot where the body was found), coming from Gujarat, didn’t report seeing anything on the tracks or of running over."
Tracing the sequence of events, Ghatge recounted that the body was first spotted on the tracks at 7.45am by a railway gangman, who immediately informed the station master. The gangman was then asked to clear the route for the Madgaon-Divar passenger and he therefore moved the body from the tracks. The train subsequently, departed from Thivim station at 8.15am. "Rules are very clear for the drivers. If they see anything or a train hits something on the tracks, they have to report the matter," stressed Ghatge.
With Konkan railway authorities thus ruling out an accident or even a run over, the police now, have had to change tracks. "There may have been a slip. We have now sent a team to Ratnagiri to question the train drivers who were plying on the route on the night of May 8," police sources told TOI.
The men in khaki are also looking at four possibilities of how the Russian’s body may have landed on the tracks:
Possibility 1 — Fall from train
She might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling" to Mumbai, said police sources.
Police view:
Investigations have revealed that Elena was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow taxi at about 3am on May 8. In his statement to the police, the driver has said that she told him that she wanted to go to Mumbai. This is substantiated by other taxi drivers outside a night club in Baga where she was till 3am. Moreover, another taxi driver, Venkatesh, also told police that she had called him on his cellphone, from the night club, between 11.30pm and midnight and had asked for a taxi as she wanted to board a train. Venkatesh told police that he refused to oblige as he was asleep.
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities say that people falling from a train will not come directly under the wheels because of the steps below the door. Moreover, if a person were hanging from the handles near the door, given that the train moves in a forward direction, the person’s legs would come under the wheels and be severed. The head and hands would not get cut, explained Ghatge.
KRC officials also insist that Elena didn’t have railway tickets. Moreover, she had not told her group of Russian friends or those whose statements the police have recorded, apart from the taxi drivers, that she was going to Mumbai. Her passport and luggage were still at the guest-house in Baga. And no one saw her at Thivim railway station.
Possibility 2 — Left to die
She is put on the tracks in an unconscious state by someone. This possibility crops up from the fact that there is a narrow dirt road that leads close to the railway tracks, a few meters from where Elena’s body was found.
Police view:
Investigations are on.
Gaps:
Four trains passed between Thivim and Pernem stations between 3am to 7.45am on May 8. While a goods train passed at 3.35am, Mangla Express left Thivim station at 5.02am, Netravati Express left the station at 7.09am as did Veraval Express at 7.35am. None of the drivers spotted the body nor did anyone report a run over.
Possibility 3 — Drunk and fallen
She is drunk and in an unstable condition. She walks down the tracks from Thivim railway station, collapses on the tracks and is run over by a train.
Police view:
Investigations on, but probability low.
Gaps:
None of the train drivers reported a run over. Besides, with no space to walk, Elena would have had to walk on the tracks, which would have been very difficult to do in the dark.
Possibility 4 — Mutilated elsewhere, dumped on the tracks
Someone placed her mutilated body on the tracks between 7.20am (after Hapa Express left) and 7.45am (when the body was first spotted).
Police view:
This possibility is ruled out as the post-mortem report is clear that Elena’s death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest abdominal and pelvic injuries, associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock". Rolling stock is the collective term that describes all items that move on a rail track, inclusive of both powered and unpowered vehicles
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities insist that no accident nor run over was reported.
14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
Mystery deepens
While a shack owner filed for anticipatory bail; KRC officials said no driver reported a run over. On Wednesday, the mystery of the Russian girl’s mutilated body found on railway tracks close to Thivim station left a baffled police force looking at four possibilities. Preetu Nair reports
A shack owner has filed for anticipatory bail fearing arrest for the death of Elena Sukhonova, a 19-year-old Russian whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks about 3.5 km north of Thivim station.
Vishant Kundaikar, owner of the O’Pinhal Buckingham Shack on Calangute beach, in his anticipatory bail application before the Sessions Court in Panaji, said, "The police are bent upon arresting the applicant and detaining him in police custody. The applicant has not committed any offence in connection with the case of the death of the Russian lady."
Police sources told TOI that Vishant’s presence "is required for questioning" since, during investigations, they learnt that the shack owner, also called Vinnie, was friendly with Elena.
Vishant however, denied this, "I am not called Vinnie nor was I friendly with the girl. I must have met her once or twice when she came to my shack. She was friendly with Vinay, who is called Vinnie, who was working as a waiter in my shack."
The Russian, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had deposed before the Calangute police then and said that she was touring with Vinnie and was in love with him.
"Police have registered it as a case of unnatural death. When it is a case of unnatural death, then under section 174 read with section 175 of CrPC, a person can only be called for verifying the condition of the body and not for interrogation, nor can he be detained as contemplated in a crime case," explained Kundaikar’s counsel Ranjit Satardekar.
Meanwhile, Konkan railway officials, who have already ruled out the police theory that Elena must have fallen or been pushed out of a moving train, now claim that a train may not even have run over her on the tracks. This despite the fact that the post-mortem report states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by an object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock".
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO, Baban Ghatge, told TOI, "If there is a train run over, then the train driver has to report the matter to the next station. Nothing has been reported either by the train driver of Netravati Express or the Mandovi Express that followed it. Even the train driver of Veraval Express (which ran between 7.15am and 7.20am on the spot where the body was found), coming from Gujarat, didn’t report seeing anything on the tracks or of running over."
Tracing the sequence of events, Ghatge recounted that the body was first spotted on the tracks at 7.45am by a railway gangman, who immediately informed the station master. The gangman was then asked to clear the route for the Madgaon-Divar passenger and he therefore moved the body from the tracks. The train subsequently, departed from Thivim station at 8.15am. "Rules are very clear for the drivers. If they see anything or a train hits something on the tracks, they have to report the matter," stressed Ghatge.
With Konkan railway authorities thus ruling out an accident or even a run over, the police now, have had to change tracks. "There may have been a slip. We have now sent a team to Ratnagiri to question the train drivers who were plying on the route on the night of May 8," police sources told TOI.
The men in khaki are also looking at four possibilities of how the Russian’s body may have landed on the tracks:
Possibility 1 — Fall from train
She might have travelled either on the Mangala Express which left Thivim station at 5.02am or the Netravati Express which left at 7.09am and "somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling" to Mumbai, said police sources.
Police view:
Investigations have revealed that Elena was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow taxi at about 3am on May 8. In his statement to the police, the driver has said that she told him that she wanted to go to Mumbai. This is substantiated by other taxi drivers outside a night club in Baga where she was till 3am. Moreover, another taxi driver, Venkatesh, also told police that she had called him on his cellphone, from the night club, between 11.30pm and midnight and had asked for a taxi as she wanted to board a train. Venkatesh told police that he refused to oblige as he was asleep.
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities say that people falling from a train will not come directly under the wheels because of the steps below the door. Moreover, if a person were hanging from the handles near the door, given that the train moves in a forward direction, the person’s legs would come under the wheels and be severed. The head and hands would not get cut, explained Ghatge.
KRC officials also insist that Elena didn’t have railway tickets. Moreover, she had not told her group of Russian friends or those whose statements the police have recorded, apart from the taxi drivers, that she was going to Mumbai. Her passport and luggage were still at the guest-house in Baga. And no one saw her at Thivim railway station.
Possibility 2 — Left to die
She is put on the tracks in an unconscious state by someone. This possibility crops up from the fact that there is a narrow dirt road that leads close to the railway tracks, a few meters from where Elena’s body was found.
Police view:
Investigations are on.
Gaps:
Four trains passed between Thivim and Pernem stations between 3am to 7.45am on May 8. While a goods train passed at 3.35am, Mangla Express left Thivim station at 5.02am, Netravati Express left the station at 7.09am as did Veraval Express at 7.35am. None of the drivers spotted the body nor did anyone report a run over.
Possibility 3 — Drunk and fallen
She is drunk and in an unstable condition. She walks down the tracks from Thivim railway station, collapses on the tracks and is run over by a train.
Police view:
Investigations on, but probability low.
Gaps:
None of the train drivers reported a run over. Besides, with no space to walk, Elena would have had to walk on the tracks, which would have been very difficult to do in the dark.
Possibility 4 — Mutilated elsewhere, dumped on the tracks
Someone placed her mutilated body on the tracks between 7.20am (after Hapa Express left) and 7.45am (when the body was first spotted).
Police view:
This possibility is ruled out as the post-mortem report is clear that Elena’s death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest abdominal and pelvic injuries, associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to being run over by a railway rolling stock". Rolling stock is the collective term that describes all items that move on a rail track, inclusive of both powered and unpowered vehicles
Gaps:
Konkan railway authorities insist that no accident nor run over was reported.
14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Russian girl's death: Cops give 4 theories
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: While a shack owner has sought anticipatory bail in connection with the death of Elena Sukhanova, 19, whose body was found on the railway tracks in North Goa, police are looking at four different ways in which her death could have occurred.
Police seek to question Vishant Kundaikar claiming he is called Vinnie and was friendly with Elena. Vishant denied this.
The police are looking at four ways in which Elena could have died and these include Elena falling from the train, her being left unconscious on the tracks, her having been drunk and falling on the tracks, and of her being killed elsewhere and dumped on the tracks.
Article appeared on 14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
For more read The Times of India, Goa edition Page 2
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: While a shack owner has sought anticipatory bail in connection with the death of Elena Sukhanova, 19, whose body was found on the railway tracks in North Goa, police are looking at four different ways in which her death could have occurred.
Police seek to question Vishant Kundaikar claiming he is called Vinnie and was friendly with Elena. Vishant denied this.
The police are looking at four ways in which Elena could have died and these include Elena falling from the train, her being left unconscious on the tracks, her having been drunk and falling on the tracks, and of her being killed elsewhere and dumped on the tracks.
Article appeared on 14 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
For more read The Times of India, Goa edition Page 2
HC rejects Mancic's plea to stay in Goa
HC rejects Mancic's plea to stay in Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the high court of Bombay at Goa rejecting Polish national Adam Mancic's plea that he shouldn't be removed from the state, he will be
taken to Delhi for extradition soon, crime branch sources have said.
Vacation judge U D Salvi observed on Wednesday that "the right of the petitioner to contest the request of extradition has not been taken away by the state". "As a matter of fact, the production of the petitioner before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi, will enable the petitioner to effectively agitate his right to contest the extradition request," observed the judge.
Mancic was arrested in Goa after a warrant was issued against him by the Tiergarten magistrate, Germany, for shooting dead a businessman in Germany on November 3, 2008. The arrest warrant was issued through Interpol.
Mancic had subsequently, approached the high court for interim relief with a prayer that his detention by the state government, which was beyond a period of 60 days, was in breach of Article 14 (4) of the extradition treaty between the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Germany and was illegal and therefore, he deserved to be protected in terms of requiring an embargo on his movement in Goa.
His counsel, K Paulekar submitted that the breach of the said Article comes into being as the petitioner had been detained in custody for over a period of 60 days and the state government had not received the request for extradition and documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
Public prosecutor C A Ferreira however, argued that the order dated May 5, 2009, passed by the Government of India, required the production of Mancic before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi for contesting the request made by the government under section 15 of the Extradition Act, 1962.
He also pointed to the petitioner's criminal background and said that it is the obligation of the government to initiate action under the Extradition Act to extradite the petitioner to the country were he has to stand trial for the commission of an offence of murder.
After hearing both sides, the judge observed that it would be too hasty to conclude that the Government of India had not received a request for extradition along with the documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
May 14,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the high court of Bombay at Goa rejecting Polish national Adam Mancic's plea that he shouldn't be removed from the state, he will be
taken to Delhi for extradition soon, crime branch sources have said.
Vacation judge U D Salvi observed on Wednesday that "the right of the petitioner to contest the request of extradition has not been taken away by the state". "As a matter of fact, the production of the petitioner before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi, will enable the petitioner to effectively agitate his right to contest the extradition request," observed the judge.
Mancic was arrested in Goa after a warrant was issued against him by the Tiergarten magistrate, Germany, for shooting dead a businessman in Germany on November 3, 2008. The arrest warrant was issued through Interpol.
Mancic had subsequently, approached the high court for interim relief with a prayer that his detention by the state government, which was beyond a period of 60 days, was in breach of Article 14 (4) of the extradition treaty between the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Germany and was illegal and therefore, he deserved to be protected in terms of requiring an embargo on his movement in Goa.
His counsel, K Paulekar submitted that the breach of the said Article comes into being as the petitioner had been detained in custody for over a period of 60 days and the state government had not received the request for extradition and documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
Public prosecutor C A Ferreira however, argued that the order dated May 5, 2009, passed by the Government of India, required the production of Mancic before the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, New Delhi for contesting the request made by the government under section 15 of the Extradition Act, 1962.
He also pointed to the petitioner's criminal background and said that it is the obligation of the government to initiate action under the Extradition Act to extradite the petitioner to the country were he has to stand trial for the commission of an offence of murder.
After hearing both sides, the judge observed that it would be too hasty to conclude that the Government of India had not received a request for extradition along with the documents specified in Article 12 of the extradition treaty.
May 14,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Russian teenager's death: Cops quiz waiter
Russian teenager's death: Cops quiz waiter
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police on Tuesday questioned Vinay Haldankar alias Vinny a shack waiter, reportedly close to Russian teenager Elena Sukhnova, 19, whose
mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 kms north of Thivim on Friday.
Vinay was missing since Elena's death and was picked up on Tuesday morning from Calangute. Elena, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had told the Calangute police that she had been touring with Vinay and was in love with him.
"He is being interrogated along with two others. We neither concede nor rule out his involvement in the crime," a senior police official stated.
Police are also on the look out for another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job as he was friendly with Elena. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Police on Tuesday questioned Vinay Haldankar alias Vinny a shack waiter, reportedly close to Russian teenager Elena Sukhnova, 19, whose
mutilated body was found on the railway tracks about 3.5 kms north of Thivim on Friday.
Vinay was missing since Elena's death and was picked up on Tuesday morning from Calangute. Elena, who had gone missing on an earlier instance, had told the Calangute police that she had been touring with Vinay and was in love with him.
"He is being interrogated along with two others. We neither concede nor rule out his involvement in the crime," a senior police official stated.
Police are also on the look out for another waiter, Vir Singh, from Himachal Pradesh, who was asked to quit his job as he was friendly with Elena. He had reportedly left Goa on May 6.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Russian consulate shoots letter to CM
Russian consulate shoots letter to CM
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With mystery continuing to surround the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks in the state on Friday morning, the Russian authorities have now written to chief minister Digambar Kamat to "take the course of investigation under your personal control".
In his letter to the chief minister dated May 11, consul general Alexander V Mantytsky from the Russian consultate in Mumbai said that the case has already drawn the attention of official authorities in Russia as well as that of Russian nationals in Russia and India.
"The consul general requests your excellency to take the course of investigation under your personal control and give instructions to carry out investigation at the earliest and keep the consul general well-informed on the above matter," the letter added.
Vikram Varma, the advocate authorized by the Russian consul general to take necessary action in connection with the investigation of the unnatural death of the 19-year-old Elena Sukhonova, while speaking to TOI said, "The Russian authorities are concerned about the death of Sukhonova. The matter is being monitored at the highest level by Russian authorities at Mumbai and also at Delhi."
"Having visited the scene where Sukhonova's mutilated body was found, the accident theory doesn't seem conclusive.
"There are some unanswered questions that we have raised with the investigating team and we indeed have confidence that the investigating team will look into it"," Varma said.
However, the lawyer refused to elaborate on what exactly the unaswered questions were.
The Russian authorities, who had also made a request with the superintendent of police (North) on April 9 for the deceased Sukhonova's passport and other identity documents, panchanama, photographs of the deceased, besides a copy of the first information report (FIR) and the postmortem report are still awaiting the same from the police.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With mystery continuing to surround the death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on railway tracks in the state on Friday morning, the Russian authorities have now written to chief minister Digambar Kamat to "take the course of investigation under your personal control".
In his letter to the chief minister dated May 11, consul general Alexander V Mantytsky from the Russian consultate in Mumbai said that the case has already drawn the attention of official authorities in Russia as well as that of Russian nationals in Russia and India.
"The consul general requests your excellency to take the course of investigation under your personal control and give instructions to carry out investigation at the earliest and keep the consul general well-informed on the above matter," the letter added.
Vikram Varma, the advocate authorized by the Russian consul general to take necessary action in connection with the investigation of the unnatural death of the 19-year-old Elena Sukhonova, while speaking to TOI said, "The Russian authorities are concerned about the death of Sukhonova. The matter is being monitored at the highest level by Russian authorities at Mumbai and also at Delhi."
"Having visited the scene where Sukhonova's mutilated body was found, the accident theory doesn't seem conclusive.
"There are some unanswered questions that we have raised with the investigating team and we indeed have confidence that the investigating team will look into it"," Varma said.
However, the lawyer refused to elaborate on what exactly the unaswered questions were.
The Russian authorities, who had also made a request with the superintendent of police (North) on April 9 for the deceased Sukhonova's passport and other identity documents, panchanama, photographs of the deceased, besides a copy of the first information report (FIR) and the postmortem report are still awaiting the same from the police.
13 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
'Blunt force caused death of Russian girl'
'Blunt force caused death of Russian girl'
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The postmortem report of the 19-year-old Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks at Tivim, states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Railway officials continued to rule out the police's rail accident' theory saying that chances of the girl falling from the train were bleak.
Forensic doctor A V Fenandes of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim in his report said that the death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Elena Sukhonova's viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis. Police sources said that her viscera will be sent for chemical analysis to detect whether she had consumed any alcoholic or narcotic substance.
The GMC has also preserved one of her molars for DNA profiling. Her body was found on the tracks by railway gangmen around 7.45am on Friday approximately 3.5 km from Tivim station.
Confirming the postmortem report, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, "Inquiry into the case is in progress and it is too early to call it murder, accident or even suicide. We have registered a case of unnatural death'."
The police have asked for details of the ticket collectors of the Mangla Express and Netravati Express, and the passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station. "There were some passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station on that day," said police sources.
Police sources added that perhaps when Elena slipped, she may have clung to the handle of the train and that her left ankle could have got entangled in the wheel. However, railway authorities disputed the police theory.
"People falling from the train will not come directly under the wheels as there are steps below the door. If you were hanging on the door when the train was moving in the forward direction, then your legs would have come under the wheels and not the hands, head and the rest of the body," said Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO Baban Ghatge.
Ghatge also said that their records don't show a Russian having bought a ticket to travel to Mumbai from Tivim or any other station in Goa.
"None of our railway staff at Tivim station saw her at the station in the early hours of May 8. There were very few passengers early in the morning and even the shops were closed. There were three railway staff on duty that night," he added.
Police investigations had revealed that she was dropped at the Tivim railway station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai.
From the evidence available, it appears that she might have travelled either on the Mangala Express that left Tivim at 5.02am or the Netravati Express that left at 7.09 am. And, somehow she might fallen from the train when she was travelling'.
Incidentally, a local boy whom the girl befriended, is absconding and both the Calangute and Mapusa police have been hunting for him.
Incidentally, Elena had told the Calangute police that she wanted to stay in Goa as she was in love with Vinay alias Vinny.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The postmortem report of the 19-year-old Russian girl, Elena Sukhonova, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks at Tivim, states that she died "as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Railway officials continued to rule out the police's rail accident' theory saying that chances of the girl falling from the train were bleak.
Forensic doctor A V Fenandes of the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim in his report said that the death was "due to crushing cranio-cerebral damage, with chest, abdominal, and pelvic injuries associated with separation of right upper limb and left ankle and multiple fractures to all bones as a result of blunt force impact by object or surface consequent to run over by a railway rolling stock".
Elena Sukhonova's viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis. Police sources said that her viscera will be sent for chemical analysis to detect whether she had consumed any alcoholic or narcotic substance.
The GMC has also preserved one of her molars for DNA profiling. Her body was found on the tracks by railway gangmen around 7.45am on Friday approximately 3.5 km from Tivim station.
Confirming the postmortem report, SP (North) Tony Fernandes said, "Inquiry into the case is in progress and it is too early to call it murder, accident or even suicide. We have registered a case of unnatural death'."
The police have asked for details of the ticket collectors of the Mangla Express and Netravati Express, and the passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station. "There were some passengers who boarded the two trains at the Tivim railway station on that day," said police sources.
Police sources added that perhaps when Elena slipped, she may have clung to the handle of the train and that her left ankle could have got entangled in the wheel. However, railway authorities disputed the police theory.
"People falling from the train will not come directly under the wheels as there are steps below the door. If you were hanging on the door when the train was moving in the forward direction, then your legs would have come under the wheels and not the hands, head and the rest of the body," said Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) PRO Baban Ghatge.
Ghatge also said that their records don't show a Russian having bought a ticket to travel to Mumbai from Tivim or any other station in Goa.
"None of our railway staff at Tivim station saw her at the station in the early hours of May 8. There were very few passengers early in the morning and even the shops were closed. There were three railway staff on duty that night," he added.
Police investigations had revealed that she was dropped at the Tivim railway station by a yellow cab driver at around 3am on May 8 and that she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai.
From the evidence available, it appears that she might have travelled either on the Mangala Express that left Tivim at 5.02am or the Netravati Express that left at 7.09 am. And, somehow she might fallen from the train when she was travelling'.
Incidentally, a local boy whom the girl befriended, is absconding and both the Calangute and Mapusa police have been hunting for him.
Incidentally, Elena had told the Calangute police that she wanted to stay in Goa as she was in love with Vinay alias Vinny.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Major films girl in nude, arrested
Army Major films girl in nude, arrested
TNN
PANAJI: Panaji police arrested an army major on Monday for outraging the modesty of a 19-year-old Mumbai college student by filming her in the nude and using the footage to blackmail her.
Panaji police said that major Tarun Singh, 27, from New Delhi, presently posted at Corps Signal, Srinagar, filmed the 19-year-old girl who was on vacation along with her mother and aunt and staying in the same city hotel as Singh.
Singh, a bachelor, was on a holiday with his family — parents and sister — and the family had checked into a room adjacent to the victim's on May 9.
According to the police, at around 4.30 pm on May 9, Singh, from his room balcony leant over and dislodging the bathroom ventilator of the girl's room filmed her nude on his cellphone. "The girl got suspicious and informed her mother, but they didn't find anything. However, they received a call from a male on the room intercom at 1.30 am on May 10," police sources said.
The girl's mother answered the phone and the caller told the mother about possessing video of the girl in the nude and asked to meet her. The mother, however, declined and said that they would meet and discuss the situation in the morning.
"In the morning, when they opened the door, they found a note stating that the writer of the note had the girl's nude video and if she didn't meet him by 10 am on May 11, he would upload the footage on the internet," police sources said. The note had an email address for the girl to contact him.
On the same day the accused made two calls on the room intercom. While he didn't speak the first time as the mother received the call, the second time when the girl answered, he again threatened her, police sources said.
"Upset, the girl filed a police complaint on Sunday," police sources said.
A police team led by Panaji PI N Raposo searched the hotel and zeroed in on the army officer. "On checking his laptop we found the girl's video stored in it. The accused admitted to transferring the clip from his mobile to the laptop," added police sources. They have attached both the mobile and the laptop.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Panaji police arrested an army major on Monday for outraging the modesty of a 19-year-old Mumbai college student by filming her in the nude and using the footage to blackmail her.
Panaji police said that major Tarun Singh, 27, from New Delhi, presently posted at Corps Signal, Srinagar, filmed the 19-year-old girl who was on vacation along with her mother and aunt and staying in the same city hotel as Singh.
Singh, a bachelor, was on a holiday with his family — parents and sister — and the family had checked into a room adjacent to the victim's on May 9.
According to the police, at around 4.30 pm on May 9, Singh, from his room balcony leant over and dislodging the bathroom ventilator of the girl's room filmed her nude on his cellphone. "The girl got suspicious and informed her mother, but they didn't find anything. However, they received a call from a male on the room intercom at 1.30 am on May 10," police sources said.
The girl's mother answered the phone and the caller told the mother about possessing video of the girl in the nude and asked to meet her. The mother, however, declined and said that they would meet and discuss the situation in the morning.
"In the morning, when they opened the door, they found a note stating that the writer of the note had the girl's nude video and if she didn't meet him by 10 am on May 11, he would upload the footage on the internet," police sources said. The note had an email address for the girl to contact him.
On the same day the accused made two calls on the room intercom. While he didn't speak the first time as the mother received the call, the second time when the girl answered, he again threatened her, police sources said.
"Upset, the girl filed a police complaint on Sunday," police sources said.
A police team led by Panaji PI N Raposo searched the hotel and zeroed in on the army officer. "On checking his laptop we found the girl's video stored in it. The accused admitted to transferring the clip from his mobile to the laptop," added police sources. They have attached both the mobile and the laptop.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Man dies after night out dancing
Man dies after night out dancing
TNN
PANAJI: A 34-year-old man danced himself to death at his Ukrainian girlfriend's house at Siolim on Sunday morning.
Anjuna police said that David Fernandes of Arpora, owner of the house, said that at 1 pm the body of Ali Merchant, resident of Bandra, Mumbai was found in the rented house of his 32-year-old Ukrainian girlfriend, who is a professional dancer.
Investigations revealed that Merchant was working as a project manager for builder Sumeet Chopra in Sangolda.
Police sources said that on Saturday, Merchant along with his girlfriend were seen at a popular night club till about 2 am. He then left the night club, went to the room and slept.
"At about 6 am, he went to his girlfriend's room with a liquor bottle and from 6 to 8 am they danced in the room. They then went to sleep in separate rooms. Later at 1 pm as he was not picking up his mobile phone, which was constantly ringing, she tried to wake him up, but he didn't move," said police sources. She called for the ambulance service, who on arrival declared Merchant dead.
Police said that the deceased was a habitual alcoholic and there was no injury on his body. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: A 34-year-old man danced himself to death at his Ukrainian girlfriend's house at Siolim on Sunday morning.
Anjuna police said that David Fernandes of Arpora, owner of the house, said that at 1 pm the body of Ali Merchant, resident of Bandra, Mumbai was found in the rented house of his 32-year-old Ukrainian girlfriend, who is a professional dancer.
Investigations revealed that Merchant was working as a project manager for builder Sumeet Chopra in Sangolda.
Police sources said that on Saturday, Merchant along with his girlfriend were seen at a popular night club till about 2 am. He then left the night club, went to the room and slept.
"At about 6 am, he went to his girlfriend's room with a liquor bottle and from 6 to 8 am they danced in the room. They then went to sleep in separate rooms. Later at 1 pm as he was not picking up his mobile phone, which was constantly ringing, she tried to wake him up, but he didn't move," said police sources. She called for the ambulance service, who on arrival declared Merchant dead.
Police said that the deceased was a habitual alcoholic and there was no injury on his body. A case of unnatural death has been registered and the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
May 12,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, May 11, 2009
Now, love angle to Russian girl's death
Now, love angle to Russian girl's death
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 19-year-old Russian girl, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks in Goa, didn’t want to leave the state as she had
fallen in love.
Police sources told TOI that Elena Sukhonova had said this in a statement to the cops on May 6. According to the statement, Elena was in love with a boy named Vinay alias Vinny, working as a waiter at a shack on the Baga beach.
However, when told of this, the shack owner expressed surprise. He said, “Vinay left the job a month and a half back. He used to come to meet us sometimes. The girl must have come to the shack twice but I don’t think they were in love.” Elena’s body was found by railway gangmen at around 7.45 am on Friday about 3.5 kms north of Thivim railway station.
Elena’s statement was recorded by the Calangute police after the general manager of a hotel at Baga-Calangute had lodged a missing complaint on May 5 stating that Elena, whose tourist visa was to expire on July 1, 2009, and staying in the hotel and had gone missing from around 2 am on May 3.
In the complaint, the resort’s GM also said the Russian teenager had checked into the hotel on April 19 and was to check out on May 3. But on the day of the departure, she was not in the room, though her luggage and ticket were there. Elena, the GM said, had disappeared with the room key.
The hotel GM told TOI, “A hotel security guard spotted her early morning at 1.30 am on May 6 near our resort. We persuaded her to come to the hotel and also informed the police. She told the police that she was staying in a guest house. We asked her to return the room key and the police asked her to stay in our resort and recorded her statement, after which she left.”
The resort staff said that the teenager loved to party late at night. She had also dated a 22-year-old waiter from Himachal Pradesh, Bir Singh. However, when the hotel authorities came to know about it on April 24, Bir was asked to resign. “Bir left Goa on May 6 and is now at Himachal Pradesh,” police sources said.
Meanwhile, the police refused to comment on the mutilated body, citing the election code of conduct.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon. “We are waiting for a representative from the Russian consulate to come,” said a doctor from the Goa medical college and hospital.
KR officials refute cops’ argument
Later in an “appeal” released to the media, the police said, “Investigation revealed that she was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow cab at about 3 am on May 8 and she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai. From available evidence it appears that she might have travelled either on Mangala Express which left Thivim at 5.02 am or Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am and ‘somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling’.”
However, the police argument of Elena having fallen from the train is disputed by Konkan Railway officials. A railway engineer said, “A person falling on the tracks from a running train and getting killed is next to impossible. If a person slips and falls from the train the body gets entangled in the wheel and then can be pushed into the tracks, but this is rare. Generally a person who slips or is pushed falls away from the tracks and not on the tracks.”
Calangute police sources also said that in her statement, Elena said that after leaving the resort she went to Anjuna and was staying at another place. However, according to the guest house register and its staff Elena checked into the hotel room at 8 pm on May 6 and was to check out at 10 am on May 8. She had also paid the rent for two days in Indian currency.
The guest house staff added, “On May 7 at 10 pm she left with a handbag and kept her luggage in the room. She also took the room key with her.” Police sources said that later she was spotted at a popular night club in Baga till the wee hours of May 8 and she was there with a 39-year-old Russian
May 11,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The 19-year-old Russian girl, whose mutilated body was found on the railway tracks in Goa, didn’t want to leave the state as she had
fallen in love.
Police sources told TOI that Elena Sukhonova had said this in a statement to the cops on May 6. According to the statement, Elena was in love with a boy named Vinay alias Vinny, working as a waiter at a shack on the Baga beach.
However, when told of this, the shack owner expressed surprise. He said, “Vinay left the job a month and a half back. He used to come to meet us sometimes. The girl must have come to the shack twice but I don’t think they were in love.” Elena’s body was found by railway gangmen at around 7.45 am on Friday about 3.5 kms north of Thivim railway station.
Elena’s statement was recorded by the Calangute police after the general manager of a hotel at Baga-Calangute had lodged a missing complaint on May 5 stating that Elena, whose tourist visa was to expire on July 1, 2009, and staying in the hotel and had gone missing from around 2 am on May 3.
In the complaint, the resort’s GM also said the Russian teenager had checked into the hotel on April 19 and was to check out on May 3. But on the day of the departure, she was not in the room, though her luggage and ticket were there. Elena, the GM said, had disappeared with the room key.
The hotel GM told TOI, “A hotel security guard spotted her early morning at 1.30 am on May 6 near our resort. We persuaded her to come to the hotel and also informed the police. She told the police that she was staying in a guest house. We asked her to return the room key and the police asked her to stay in our resort and recorded her statement, after which she left.”
The resort staff said that the teenager loved to party late at night. She had also dated a 22-year-old waiter from Himachal Pradesh, Bir Singh. However, when the hotel authorities came to know about it on April 24, Bir was asked to resign. “Bir left Goa on May 6 and is now at Himachal Pradesh,” police sources said.
Meanwhile, the police refused to comment on the mutilated body, citing the election code of conduct.
A post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon. “We are waiting for a representative from the Russian consulate to come,” said a doctor from the Goa medical college and hospital.
KR officials refute cops’ argument
Later in an “appeal” released to the media, the police said, “Investigation revealed that she was dropped at Thivim railway station by a yellow cab at about 3 am on May 8 and she had mentioned to the driver that she wanted to go to Mumbai. From available evidence it appears that she might have travelled either on Mangala Express which left Thivim at 5.02 am or Netravati Express which left at 7.09 am and ‘somehow fallen from the train while she was travelling’.”
However, the police argument of Elena having fallen from the train is disputed by Konkan Railway officials. A railway engineer said, “A person falling on the tracks from a running train and getting killed is next to impossible. If a person slips and falls from the train the body gets entangled in the wheel and then can be pushed into the tracks, but this is rare. Generally a person who slips or is pushed falls away from the tracks and not on the tracks.”
Calangute police sources also said that in her statement, Elena said that after leaving the resort she went to Anjuna and was staying at another place. However, according to the guest house register and its staff Elena checked into the hotel room at 8 pm on May 6 and was to check out at 10 am on May 8. She had also paid the rent for two days in Indian currency.
The guest house staff added, “On May 7 at 10 pm she left with a handbag and kept her luggage in the room. She also took the room key with her.” Police sources said that later she was spotted at a popular night club in Baga till the wee hours of May 8 and she was there with a 39-year-old Russian
May 11,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Only 39% sex workers know about HIV prevention: Study
Only 39% sex workers know about HIV prevention: Study
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: After the demolition of the Baina red light area in 2004, only one in five female sex workers in the state have had access to the free
condoms provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). This number should have been close to 80% as envisaged under the national AIDS control programme. Further, with sex workers in Goa now widely dispersed, only 38.7 % have had exposure to HIV prevention methods while 30.7 % have no knowledge of the disease.
Moreover, only 21% female sex workers (FSWs) have been able to avail of free condoms from the government or NGO. While 15.8% don't use condoms, another 29.7% were forced to indulge in sexual activity sans any protection. In a majority of cases, however, customers tend to bring condoms to the FSW, reveals a study titled, "The burden and determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in a population based sample of female sex workers in Goa".
Conducted by two NGOs, namely Sangath and Positive People, it is published in the journal, Sexually Transmitted Infections' in 2009.
NACO classifies FSWs in the high risk group and, to ensure an overall reduction in the epidemic, their targeted interventions are aimed to effect a behavioural change through awareness. "Youth and illiteracy, indebtedness and support of dependents, migrant status and exposure to violence, limited access to HIV prevention and sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment services, contribute to the vulnerability of sex workers," said Maryam Shahmanesh, who is part of the study.
The Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) project director Pradeep Padwal said that the mapping of areas where the "needy" are placed is in progress. "We have to identify where the needy are or, conversely, they will have to approach places where we are based. We are trying our best to reach the needy," he said.
However, this is easier said than done. "Sex workers have spread across the state. NGOs don't have access to them and they don't want to avail of government facilities for the fear of being identified or stigmatized," said Arun Pandey of Arz, an NGO which was used to work with trafficked victims at Baina.
The study comprises a sample of 326 female sex workers in the state. It reveals that infections were common with a 25.7% prevalence of HIV and 22.5% prevalence of bacterial STIs in sex workers. A majority of the FSWs studied are in the age group of 21 and 25. While most were from Karnataka, there were about 54 from Goa and 37 from Andhra Pradesh selected for the study.
Sex workers are widely dispersed; practising in 557 different lodges, establishments and other areas. While 57.8 % resort to bar, lodge or brothel-based sex work, there are about 28% home-based sex workers and 22.7% street-based sex workers in Goa after the demolition of the Baina red light area. About 20.6 %, FSWs started young, at the age of 16, the study added.
8 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: After the demolition of the Baina red light area in 2004, only one in five female sex workers in the state have had access to the free
condoms provided by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). This number should have been close to 80% as envisaged under the national AIDS control programme. Further, with sex workers in Goa now widely dispersed, only 38.7 % have had exposure to HIV prevention methods while 30.7 % have no knowledge of the disease.
Moreover, only 21% female sex workers (FSWs) have been able to avail of free condoms from the government or NGO. While 15.8% don't use condoms, another 29.7% were forced to indulge in sexual activity sans any protection. In a majority of cases, however, customers tend to bring condoms to the FSW, reveals a study titled, "The burden and determinants of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in a population based sample of female sex workers in Goa".
Conducted by two NGOs, namely Sangath and Positive People, it is published in the journal, Sexually Transmitted Infections' in 2009.
NACO classifies FSWs in the high risk group and, to ensure an overall reduction in the epidemic, their targeted interventions are aimed to effect a behavioural change through awareness. "Youth and illiteracy, indebtedness and support of dependents, migrant status and exposure to violence, limited access to HIV prevention and sexually transmitted infections (STI) treatment services, contribute to the vulnerability of sex workers," said Maryam Shahmanesh, who is part of the study.
The Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) project director Pradeep Padwal said that the mapping of areas where the "needy" are placed is in progress. "We have to identify where the needy are or, conversely, they will have to approach places where we are based. We are trying our best to reach the needy," he said.
However, this is easier said than done. "Sex workers have spread across the state. NGOs don't have access to them and they don't want to avail of government facilities for the fear of being identified or stigmatized," said Arun Pandey of Arz, an NGO which was used to work with trafficked victims at Baina.
The study comprises a sample of 326 female sex workers in the state. It reveals that infections were common with a 25.7% prevalence of HIV and 22.5% prevalence of bacterial STIs in sex workers. A majority of the FSWs studied are in the age group of 21 and 25. While most were from Karnataka, there were about 54 from Goa and 37 from Andhra Pradesh selected for the study.
Sex workers are widely dispersed; practising in 557 different lodges, establishments and other areas. While 57.8 % resort to bar, lodge or brothel-based sex work, there are about 28% home-based sex workers and 22.7% street-based sex workers in Goa after the demolition of the Baina red light area. About 20.6 %, FSWs started young, at the age of 16, the study added.
8 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rare breed of vulture spotted in Goa after eight years
Rare breed of vulture spotted in Goa after eight years
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An Indian white-rumped vulture was spotted in Goa after a gap of almost eight years.
According to bird lovers and forest officials, this particular breed of vulture was last spotted in Goa sometime in 2001.
Wildlife photographer Prasanna Parab spotted a "big white rumped vulture" on March 15, 2009 near the highway at Panzorconi, near Cuncolim and captured it on camera. The vulture, which has not been spotted since is bald, with broad wings and a short tail and has now become a subject of discussion among bird watchers.
"Nearly 99% of vultures are now extinct. Of six species of vultures, three the Indian white-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vultureare facing extinction. The Indian white-rumped vulture was last spotted in 2001. About 12 long-billed vultures were documented in the state five years back, but today there is only one remaining in the borders of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. Four nests of long-billed vultures were spotted five years back, but now there are none," said Parag Rangnekar of Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade.
Carl D'Silva, state coordinator for Bombay Natural History Society said, "This is a rare occasion. The vultures use thermals (warm air currents) to fly. As the temperature has touched 40?C in western India, maybe there is a movement to some other place as vultures prefer ambient temperatures".
The Indian white-rumped vulture is listed in the IUCN Red Data List as a critically endangered species which faces a threat of extinction in the near future. "The Goa meat factory, near Merck factory at Tisk (Usgao) was a well known site for hundreds of white rumped vultures between 1995 and 2000. But after the closure of the factory, there have been no reported sightings ever since", said a range forest officer in the state.
Also known as nature cleaner, the Indian white-rumped vulture is a scavenger preying mainly on dead animals and forest officials believe that the main factor for the decline of the species was poisoning due to Diclofenae, a veterinary drug which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that causes kidney failure in birds eating the carcass of cattle treated by this drug.
Environmentalists admit that there has been a catastrophic decline in the vulture population all over the country. The minimum decline in white-backed vulture numbers in India during 1992-2003 was 99.7% and that for Long-billed/Slender-billed was 97.4%. This corresponds with a minimum estimated rate of decline of 34% per year for white-rumped vultures and 27% per year for the long-billed/slender-billed group.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An Indian white-rumped vulture was spotted in Goa after a gap of almost eight years.
According to bird lovers and forest officials, this particular breed of vulture was last spotted in Goa sometime in 2001.
Wildlife photographer Prasanna Parab spotted a "big white rumped vulture" on March 15, 2009 near the highway at Panzorconi, near Cuncolim and captured it on camera. The vulture, which has not been spotted since is bald, with broad wings and a short tail and has now become a subject of discussion among bird watchers.
"Nearly 99% of vultures are now extinct. Of six species of vultures, three the Indian white-rumped vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vultureare facing extinction. The Indian white-rumped vulture was last spotted in 2001. About 12 long-billed vultures were documented in the state five years back, but today there is only one remaining in the borders of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary. Four nests of long-billed vultures were spotted five years back, but now there are none," said Parag Rangnekar of Vivekananda Environment Awareness Brigade.
Carl D'Silva, state coordinator for Bombay Natural History Society said, "This is a rare occasion. The vultures use thermals (warm air currents) to fly. As the temperature has touched 40?C in western India, maybe there is a movement to some other place as vultures prefer ambient temperatures".
The Indian white-rumped vulture is listed in the IUCN Red Data List as a critically endangered species which faces a threat of extinction in the near future. "The Goa meat factory, near Merck factory at Tisk (Usgao) was a well known site for hundreds of white rumped vultures between 1995 and 2000. But after the closure of the factory, there have been no reported sightings ever since", said a range forest officer in the state.
Also known as nature cleaner, the Indian white-rumped vulture is a scavenger preying mainly on dead animals and forest officials believe that the main factor for the decline of the species was poisoning due to Diclofenae, a veterinary drug which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), that causes kidney failure in birds eating the carcass of cattle treated by this drug.
Environmentalists admit that there has been a catastrophic decline in the vulture population all over the country. The minimum decline in white-backed vulture numbers in India during 1992-2003 was 99.7% and that for Long-billed/Slender-billed was 97.4%. This corresponds with a minimum estimated rate of decline of 34% per year for white-rumped vultures and 27% per year for the long-billed/slender-billed group.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa police are probing death of Russian girl
Goa police are probing death of Russian girl
PANAJI: Goa police are investigating into the death of 24-year-old Russian girl whose mutilated body was found on Railway tracks near Mapusa town
on Friday morning.
Police stated that Elena Sukhnovas scattered body organs were found on the track at Revora village, 15 kms away from here.
The Russian girl was apparently holidaying in Goa and had checked in at a lodge at Baga, a beach village in North Goa.
"We inquired with the lodge owner who confirmed that the girl checked in on May 6 and later went out with hotel keys on May 7 at 10.30 pm," Mapusa town police, who are investigating into the case, said.
The dead body was traced on the tracks at 8 am next day.
Although police initially felt that the girl may have died after falling off from the train, they are also investigating the case from different angles.
The dead body is sent for post-mortem, which will give directions to the police investigation.
Meanwhile, Russian consulate has taken cognizance of the death. "We are awaiting few details from the police. Also the post-mortem report would be crucial," Vikram Varma, legal advisory for Russian consulate said.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: Goa police are investigating into the death of 24-year-old Russian girl whose mutilated body was found on Railway tracks near Mapusa town
on Friday morning.
Police stated that Elena Sukhnovas scattered body organs were found on the track at Revora village, 15 kms away from here.
The Russian girl was apparently holidaying in Goa and had checked in at a lodge at Baga, a beach village in North Goa.
"We inquired with the lodge owner who confirmed that the girl checked in on May 6 and later went out with hotel keys on May 7 at 10.30 pm," Mapusa town police, who are investigating into the case, said.
The dead body was traced on the tracks at 8 am next day.
Although police initially felt that the girl may have died after falling off from the train, they are also investigating the case from different angles.
The dead body is sent for post-mortem, which will give directions to the police investigation.
Meanwhile, Russian consulate has taken cognizance of the death. "We are awaiting few details from the police. Also the post-mortem report would be crucial," Vikram Varma, legal advisory for Russian consulate said.
9 May 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
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