Team Goemkarponn
BICHOLIM: In a major crackdown on an interlinked extortion racket, Bicholim Police have arrested five individuals operating across North Goa. Among those initially caught were Salman Khan (26), a resident of Corlim, and Maksud Khan (29) from Ponda, who had allegedly detained a man and demanded ₹10 lakh from him.
According to police, the accused fled after the victim alerted authorities but were later tracked down and arrested.
At a press briefing, North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta confirmed the arrests were part of a wider investigation into an organised gang. “We have registered two separate FIRs and arrested five individuals connected to the same criminal group,” Gupta said.
The first complaint dates back to February 2, when a contractor reported being threatened and extorted of ₹1 lakh in Porvorim. The accused in that case included Tarzan Parsekar, Sagar Patil, and three unidentified persons.
A second case was registered on June 8 in Bicholim, where two people were intercepted by a black car and motorcycle and threatened by 4–5 men demanding money. Investigators later connected both incidents to the same network.
Following the arrest of Salman and Maksud Khan, police interrogation led to the capture of three others—Tarzan Parsekar, Sagar Patil, and Sanish Ghatwal.
Parsekar, identified as a repeat offender, has nine prior cases against him, including a 2022 attempt to murder (FIR 161/22, Anjuna PS). Both he and Patil had their bail revoked by the High Court last year after they absconded, reportedly fleeing to Nepal.
The final arrests were made after a joint operation involving Pernem, Porvorim, and Bicholim Police. Acting on leads, police launched a 12-hour manhunt in Pernem and apprehended the suspects after a brief chase.
All five have been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 126(2), 308(5), 351, and 352, along with Sections 3 to 5 related to extortion and criminal intimidation.
“This is a major success for the district police,” SP Gupta said.
