Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a major development, the Goa Crime Branch has arrested three more individuals suspected to be part of an illicit liquor network operating across states.
The arrests were made on 10 November following technical surveillance and interrogation of four accused earlier taken into custody.
The three arrested have been identified as Kursingh Rajput (42), resident of Rajasthan; Munaf Pirsabh Shaikh (42), resident of Sawantwadi, Maharashtra; and Bharat Singh Rathore (25), resident of Rajasthan.
All three were produced before the JMFC, Ponda, where they were remanded to three days of police custody.
The investigation is being led by PI Laxi Amonkar, under the supervision of DySP Rajesh Kumar and SP Crime Rahul Gupta, IPS.
Authorities revealed that the same trio is highly suspected to be involved in another illicit liquor case registered as Crime No. 75/2024 under multiple IPC sections—284, 420, 465, 468, 471—along with Sections 5, 8, 9, and 33 of the Goa Excise Act.
The earlier case was registered based on a complaint filed by the Deputy Commissioner of Excise.
In light of these suspicions, DySP Hiru Kavlekar has issued a request to JMFC Ponda for a transfer warrant. If approved, the accused will be taken into custody in connection with Crime No. 75/2024 as well.
The Crime Branch stated that further investigation is ongoing.
