Main suspect Sunil Bhomkar files anticipatory bail in Souza Lobo violence case.
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Bowing to public pressure, the police action in the Calangute restaurant vandalism case has finally begun as nine suspects have been rounded off so far.
Two days after the shocking, violent act of vandalism at the iconic Souza Lobo restaurant, the main suspect Sunil Bhomkar has filed for anticipatory bail.
So far, the police have arrested nine people, including Gajendra’ Chotu’ Singh (42), owner of a nightclub, Rahul Rathod (20), and Sunil Rathod, all natives of Uttar Pradesh, in the case.
The owners of the Souza Lobo restaurant have alleged that government and police authorities have been manipulating the case since the restaurant was attacked, and till now, the police have not filed a charge sheet in the first attack in November 2020.
Meanwhile, Minister Michael Lobo’s man Calangute PI Nolasco Raposo has been placed under suspension, as ordered by the Director-General of Police for his purported inability to handle the series of attacks on this iconic shack.
PI Lakshi Amonkar has been given a charge in place of Raposo.
Further, the misconduct of a few policemen attached to the Calangute police station has also been found out. Sources said links with those involved in the shooting and assault at the tourist-populated hub could land these cops in trouble.
Multiple teams have been formed to investigate the case, and the crime branch will freshly examine the evidence.
Sources claimed that the attack originated from the dance bar business rivalry.
Gunshots were also reportedly fired in the air, and in this connection, the Calangute police registered a separate FIR against Annup Tripati and two others from the other group.
On Tuesday, Souza Lobo, the oldest restaurant owned by a Goan, was vandalized by a Delhi businessman.
Few of the staff were seriously injured during the assault. However, there was no immediate action by Calangute police in this matter.
After public outcry, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had to intervene to get the culprits arrested.
This is the third incident of attack on the Iconic Souza Lobo Restaurant. The restaurant was earlier attacked in November 2020 and later in March 2021.
It may be recalled that last year in November, a group of bouncers had allegedly trespassed into the restaurant and damaged it.
Later on 15 March 2021, the Compound wall of the restaurant was damaged when the Delhi-based businessman and goons came to the restaurant and broke the compound wall of the restaurant.
