Souza Lobo vandalism case: Main accused trying to influence investigation

CALANGUTE, GOA: The main accused in the Souza Lobo restaurant vandalism case, who has applied for bail is trying to influence the course of investigation, and indulging in pressure tactics on police officials, senior Calangute police and Goa Crime Branch sources have claimed.

The main accused are connected to two powerful politicians from the North Goa coastal belt, who are indirectly interfering in the investigation through their henchmen and PAs, trying to ensure the arrested accused (Sunil Bhomkar and Gajendra Chotu Singh) get bail, our source said. 

Once these two are out on bail, the case will automatically fizzle out, the Crime Branch cops reckon and are trying to ensure that they are behind bars at least for the maximum permissible period of 60 days. (till charge sheet is filed)

The police in their say (response) to the  bail application of one of the main accused Gajendra alias Chotu Singh which will be heard by the court tomorrow, will oppose the application tooth and nail, it is learnt. ALSO READ: Calangute cops paid Rs 2.5 lakh bribe per month, Delhi bizman Rajeev Arora under the lens?

“The main accused, including the ‘wanted or absconding accused’ are trying to influence the investigating officers and can even influence the witnesses if released on bail at this stage and hence should not be granted bail,” a police source stated, adding the police will oppose the bail application.

Four more persons who were absconding after the vandalism and rioting incident at the Souza Lobo Restaurant at Calangute, were arrested by the Goa Crime Branch. ALSO READ: Gajendra alias Chotu Singh operates 12 illegal ladies ‘dance’ bars in the Vagator-Candolim belt

Totally 15 persons have been arrested till date including Limbu alias Mohd Sadiq Nadaf, aged 20 years and a native of Karnataka, Suraj Kumar, (21) from Himachal Pradesh, Pankaj Singh, (27) from Uttarakhand and Rohit Minj (29) from Odisha were arrested after a manhunt.

With allegations of police involvement and mishandling of the case and the suspected role of some police officials in alleged extortion and a tacit involvement with the gangs, the Goa Police top brass suspended a Police Inspector and two constables. ALSO READ: SP, DySP, MLA involved in Souza Lobo case: Bhomkar, Chotu operating prostitution biz in Goa

The probe was also transferred to the Goa Crime Branch.

Initially, the Crime Branch arrested history sheeter and known criminal Gajendra (Chotu) Singh and his aides. This was followed by the arrest of another known criminal Sunil Bhomkar from Nasik. Bhomkar had fled to Nasik and was hiding in a lodge.

He was arrested by the Goa Crime Branch after a joint tracking and technical surveillance exercise by the Goa and Nasik Crime Branch officials. ALSO READ: Calangute cops paid Rs 2.5 lakh bribe per month, Delhi bizman Rajeev Arora under the lens?

Bhomkar and Singh are associates and together run about 10 to 12 illegal ladies or dance bars in the Vagator-Calangute belt. Over the last 10 years, they have been arrested several times for crimes relating to trafficking of women, prostitution, gambling and operating illegal ladies dance bars.  They have police cases pending against them in several states including Rajasthan and UP.

The masterminds Rajeev Arora and Abhishek Mishra are still at large. ALSO READ: CCTV footage of Souza Lobo shows staff of Planet Goa, Sunil Bhomkar and Gajendra Singh leading the attack

Meanwhile, a legal advisor for the Souza Lobo restaurant has denied that any dance bar operates on their premises.

“We are running a club or a party hall or banquet hall in one portion of our restaurant. People celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in this space. Corporate parties and small functions are held here. This cannot be equated with a ladies dance bar or illegal dance bar, where hired women trafficked from other states, who often double up as prostitutes, perform raunchy semi-nude erotic dance moves for the all-male guests, whose main aim is to pick up women for sex after a few drinks. The main accused who are well-connected with deep pockets and political connections are trying to buy off our property and now that they have failed, they have launched a smear campaign against us,” the legal spokesperson said in a statement, when queried about the matter.