BJP leader’s exdriver changes statement in Goa murder case

PANAJI: In a new twist, former driver of BJP candidate Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane has reportedly told the police that he did not see Rane shoot Shanu Gaonkar in 2006.

A video had gone viral on social media where the driver, Satish Ardalkar, claimed he was witness to the BJP leader shooting Gaonkar dead to avenge his brother’s murder. Following this, the police started the investigation. Ardalkar had alleged that Gaonkar had killed Rane’s brother during 2005 riots.

“He (Ardalkar) had said in the video that he saw his employer shoot Gaonkar at Stefin bar in Honda. He had added that when he tried to run away, Rane tried to snatch his phone away and also threatened him with dire consequences. Therefore, he remained silent for all these years. But when his statement was recorded on Tuesday he said that he had not witnessed the murder, but was instrumental in disposing of the body of the deceased. An indica car was used by him to dispose of the body,” a police official said on condition of anonymity.

The police have now found that Goankar was never an accused in the riot case. “In fact, he was not even present in Saleli when the incident happened,” said Valpoi police inspector Deepak Pedenkar.

But as investigations are on, police department is apprehensive about reaching any conclusion in the case.

Also the fact that the case is decade old leaves the police with very little forensic evidence. “We will be recording the statements of all who have been named in the case and will ensure that an investigation is carried out without any bias in the case,” said Karthik Kashyap, SP North Goa.

A police team has also begun combing the valleys of Anmod Ghat, the place where Ardalkar claimed to have dumped the body.