Panaji: Goa police have identified multiple motives behind the Porvorim shootout on Aug 28. Crime branch investigations point to tensions arising from an FIR filed by Panaji police against Gopal Naik for allegedly confining an Enforcement Directorate team at an offshore casino, investor Suraj Acharya’s dissatisfaction over poor returns from his investment in Majestic Pride casino, and resentment over another accused being sidelined from casino operations.The crime branch has almost completed the investigation in the case and is likely to file the chargesheet at the end of Nov, investigating officer PI Nikhil Palekar told TOI.Palekar said the attack stemmed from multiple motives, with the accused eventually coming together and conspiring to carry out the shootout as an act of revenge.Goa police have arrested nine people in connection with the shootout.Police said that the group used a two-wheeler and a four-wheeler to execute the shootout. CCTV footage shows the suspects conducted a recce for nearly four days, with a four-wheeler repeatedly circling the Porvorim hotel. Police have attached the vehicles used in the shootout.A senior crime branch officer said they suspect the assailants used stolen vehicles with altered number plates to evade detection, abandoning the two-wheeler at the shooting scene before escaping in the four-wheeler. He said the accused stayed at the railway station rather than a hotel to conceal their identities and did not use mobile phones.The shootout occurred on Aug 28, when two unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire on Shrinivas Nayak, director of Majestic Pride Group, which operates offshore and onshore casinos in Goa. CCTV footage showed the suspects waiting outside a hotel before targeting Nayak, who escaped unhurt. The assailants allegedly fired three rounds and fled when hotel security personnel tried to stop them.Porvorim police initially registered a case of attempt to murder, which was later transferred to the crime branch.Those arrested in the case from different parts of the country are Gopal, Dinanath Kori, Qazu Sheikh, Suraj Acharya, Israr Ali, Babu Ali, Arpudaraj alias Anna, Pavan Saur and Fakir alias Prakash Chunchwad.Following the arrest of the accused, Goa police declined Nayak’s request for a police escort and pilot vehicles, stating that the Porvorim shootout case has been solved. Such a security arrangement is currently provided only to the chief minister.
