Daijiworld Media Network- Margao

Margao, May 16: In a significant breakthrough, Goa Police have arrested Anant Kadam, the prime accused in the Shirvoi knife attack case, from Sangli, Maharashtra. Kadam was wanted for a brutal daylight assault on a 21-year-old woman in Shirvoi, Quepem, on May 12.

Confirming the development, police said Kadam is being brought to Goa and will face charges under Sections 126(2) and 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — relating to wrongful restraint and attempt to murder, respectively.

The young victim, a resident of Borim-Shiroda, continues to remain in a critical condition at Goa Medical College (GMC), battling severe stab injuries to her abdomen.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s friend, the horrifying incident unfolded between 1:15 pm and 1:45 pm on May 12, when Kadam allegedly followed the two women on their scooter in his car. He is accused of ramming their vehicle, physically assaulting both, and then repeatedly stabbing the woman after she refused to enter his car.

Sources revealed that Kadam, who had been selected for recruitment into the Goa police force in 2023, had abandoned his police training midway in Delhi. His abrupt exit from the training programme has now drawn scrutiny, especially in light of the violent incident.

Though the motive behind the savage attack is still under investigation, initial reports suggest that Kadam and the victim were known to each other. The nature of their acquaintance, however, remains unclear.

Quepem police, who were leading the investigation, had launched a multi-state manhunt and successfully tracked the accused to Sangli with the help of Maharashtra police. Authorities have assured that the case will be pursued with the utmost seriousness, given the gravity of the assault and the public outrage it has sparked.

Locals and women’s rights groups have expressed shock and anger over the incident, demanding swift justice and stringent punishment for the accused.