Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa
Mapusa, Oct 8: At least six armed men allegedly broke into the residence of Dr. Mahendra Kamat Ghanekar in Mapusa’s Ganesh Puri area in the early hours of Tuesday, tying up the family and fleeing with cash, jewellery, and a car. The robbers reportedly stayed inside the house for over two hours, even helping themselves to tea and fruits before escaping.
According to police, the incident occurred between 3 am and 5 am. One of the accused reportedly cut a side window grill to gain entry. Four people were at home at the time — Dr. Ghanekar, his 80-year-old mother, his wife, and a minor daughter. The elderly woman, who had gone to the kitchen for tea at around 3.30 am, was accosted along with the rest of the family. The masked intruders were armed with rods and knives and threatened the occupants before restraining them with bedsheets.
The robbers allegedly stole cash of Rs 10 lakh, jewellery worth at least Rs 40 lakh, and the family’s Alto car, which was later found abandoned under a bridge in Panaji. The robbers also reportedly took the smartphones of the family members. A relative noted that the assailants conversed in Hindi, suggesting they may have been from outside the state.
Police have registered an FIR and launched a manhunt to apprehend the suspects. Senior police officials, including DGP Alok Kumar and North Goa SP Rahul Gupta, visited the site, while Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also inspected the house. CM Sawant said, “Police are conducting a detailed inquiry and we will catch the culprits…It appears that this is the work of professionals. The first priority of the police is to track down who did this.”
An investigator, speaking anonymously, noted that the modus operandi of the robbery resembles a previous dacoity in Dona Paula in April, where armed men tied up a senior couple and looted valuables. That case remains unsolved.
Police continue to investigate the incident, tightening night-time security and conducting nakabandis in the area to track the suspects.