Team Goemkarponn
PERNEM: In a shocking sequence of events, Mandrem police have arrested a Russian national for allegedly murdering two Russian women in separate incidents in Pernem taluka within two days.
According to police, an offence was registered at Mandrem Police Station on January 16 at around 7.26 pm on the complaint of Maria Fernandes (55), a resident of Madhlowado, Morjim, Pernem. The complainant stated that the accused, Aleksei Leonov, a Russian national, was staying in a rented room at her house along with his friend Elena Vaneeva (37), also a Russian national.
Police said that on January 14 at around 11 pm, following a dispute over money, the accused allegedly assaulted Vaneeva with a sharp weapon and slit her neck, resulting in her death.
Based on the complaint, Mandrem police registered Crime No. 06/2026 under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused was arrested and during interrogation reportedly admitted to committing the crime. Further investigation is being carried out by PI Girendre J. Naik under the supervision of the SDPO, Pernem.
In a related case, Mandrem police also registered Crime No. 05/2026 under Sections 126(2) and 103(1) of the BNS on the complaint of Uttam Naik of Arambol. The incident occurred on January 15 at around 9.15 pm at a rented room in Arambol.
Police stated that the same accused allegedly assaulted another Russian national, Elena Kasthanova (37). He is accused of wrongfully restraining her by tying her hands behind her back with a rope, inflicting multiple injuries, and later slitting her neck with a sharp weapon, causing her death.
The accused has been arrested in connection with both cases. Police confirmed that further investigation in the two murder cases is currently in progress.
