Team Goemkarponn
CHORAO: Old Goa Police have registered two separate cases against unknown persons for the illegal extraction and theft of river sand from the Mandovi River at Chorao, Tiswadi, causing loss to the State of Goa.
In the first case, Crime No. 11/2026, registered on January 10, 2026 at 10.17 pm, a complaint was lodged by Shyam V. Sawant, Geologist, Directorate of Mines and Geology, Panaji. He stated that on January 9, 2026 at around 11.30 pm, at Sodiam Madel, Chorao, unknown persons illegally removed five stacks of river sand, measuring approximately 45 cubic metres and valued at ₹58,500, from the Mandovi River. The stolen sand belonged to the State of Goa.
In the second case, Crime No. 12/2026, registered on January 10, 2026 at 10.45 pm, based on the complaint of Yadhanesh Vazarkar, Junior Geologist, Directorate of Mines and Geology, Panaji, it was reported that on December 23, 2025, at around 11.35 am, at Tikhane Sodetim, Chorao, unknown persons had illegally extracted river sand measuring about 12 cubic metres, valued at ₹15,600, from the Mandovi River, again causing loss to the State.
Both cases have been registered under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Sections 3 and 62(2) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1985.
Further investigation in both cases is being carried out by PSI Sanket S. Pokhare of Old Goa Police Station.
