log on to thegoan.net SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2024 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.177 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Constable helps land grab accused escape from Ribandar lock-up, both flee on bike  POLICE LEFT RED-FACED  MASSIVE MANHUNT UNDERWAY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A “hardened criminal” Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, who was arrested over a month ago in separate cases of land grabbing, escaped from the Crime Branch lockup in Ribandar around 2:30 am on Friday. Siddiqui had been absconding for four-andhalf years before his arrest in these cases, only to abscond with the help of an insider. The escape, which has left the police red-faced, was allegedly facilitated by IRB Constable Amit Naik. Both are now absconding. Details reveal that Siddiqui was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) (Land Grab) in a land fraud case registered at the Mapusa police station on November 14. He was re-arrested 12 days later in another property fraud case registered at the Valpoi PS and this marked his third arrest in recent months. Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma, who rushed to the CB office after the incident, told reporters that strict criminal and disciplinary action would be taken against all those responsible for the serious offense. An FIR was also registered against Siddiqui and Naik at (1) The IRB cop and land grab accused Suleman in the lock-up. (2) Both of them move out. (3) Both speed off on a bike. THE GREAT ESCAPE CAPTURED ON CCTV PANAJI: The shocking security breach was captured on the CCTV cameras clearly showing Siddiqui escaping from the Crime Branch lock-up on Friday. IRB constable Amit Naik, entered the lock-up, preparing Siddiqui for the escape, in what seemed to be pre-planned. The duo was seen calmly moving in and out before leaving on Naik’s motorbike at 2:31 am, heading towards Panaji. The department has come under fire for the incident as a massive manhunt for both the accused is underway. The CCTV is now a part of Old Goa police’s investigation. the Old Goa police station, and the process to suspend Naik is underway. “A special team has been formed to trace and apprehend the accused,” Sharma said. Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta stated that Naik, who was on guard duty, unlocked the lockup and allowed Siddiqui to escape. The two fled on Naik’s Yamaha R15 motorcycle. “All efforts are being made to trace the accused,” Gupta said adding, “Entire depart- Runaway cop surrenders in Hubbali PANAJI: As police manhunt expanded within and outside Goa, absconding IRBn Amit Naik surrendered before the Hubbali police late Friday evening. The Crime Branch team was soon dispatched from Ribandar to take his custody. “The accused constable is at the Hubbali police station where he surrendered. Our team has left to formally arrest him and bring him back to Goa for investigation,” a senior officer told The Goan. The team along with the accused are reportedly travelling by road while search for Suleman is underway. ment is coordinating, including with neighbouring police. Public areas have been put on high alert.” An internal inquiry into the incident is also underway, and the report will be submitted to senior officials for suita- ble disciplinary action. Responding to Congress leader Girish Chodankar’s allegations of “preferential VIP treatment” to Khan, Gupta dismissed it as baseless but assured that a detailed inquiry into the lock-up’s administra- tion would be conducted. “Allegations of preferential treatment to accused Suleman are baseless and false. A detailed inquiry will nonetheless be conducted by senior officials,” the SP said. Khan, with an extensive criminal record, has been described as a “hardened criminal” after his arrest in Hubbali. This arrest followed a three-month probe by SIT that tracked his movements as Khan frequently changed his OPPOSITION UP IN ARMS, GUNS FOR POLICE >> See pg 3 appearance, vehicle, mobile phone, SIM cards and locations to evade arrest. “He was wanted in three cases of land grab and was a proclaimed offender in two cases in North Goa. He was formally arrested in all three cases during 30 days and was in police custody in CB lock up,” Gupta added. Meanwhile, the team from North Goa police reached Old Hubbali police station and interrogated the accused late night. SP North Akshat Kaushal said they are working closely with Hubbali police and the accused is being brought to Goa. Notorious escapes that made headlines in Goa Over the years, the State has witnessed several cases of fugitives making bold attempts to evade the law, sparking intrigue, controversy, and intense media scrutiny. JUNE 2024: Imad Wasim Khan, 32-year-old man arrested in Uttar Pradesh escaped Goa police custody at Mumbai airport while being escorted to Goa. He fled during a terminal change after a layover. He assaulted the police team and escaped in a vehicle, which was already waiting outside the terminal building. Khan faces charges of wrongful confinement, assault and impersonation. DECEMBER 2023: Russian national Maskin Kusani arrested in a drug case attempted to escape police custody while being escorted to Colvale Central Jail from a Mapusa court. The accused bolted out of the police van as he was being taken back from the Additional District and Sessions Court in Mapusa. Police nabbed him after a 100 metre chase. SEPTEMBER 2023: Kashmir Singh, wanted in an Arms Act case, escaped custody. Singh was detained by Immigration officials at Dabolim while trying to board a Dubai-bound flight. He fled under the pretext of using the toilet. DECEMBER 2022: Russian national Makarov Maxim, arrested for drug peddling, escaped police custody after a court hearing in Panaji. CCTV footage showed him fleeing over the Rua De Ourem footbridge before disappearing into one of the lanes of Fontainhas. DECEMBER 2018: Ishwar Makwana, accused of gang rape, escaped from a Panaji hospital while in custody. Arrested in May for allegedly raping and assaulting a woman on Betalbatim beach, Makwana and accomplices allegedly filmed the act and demanded Rs 1 lakh.