Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 21: In a major breakthrough, Panaji Police on Sunday arrested Zenito Cardozo (36) of St. Cruz, identified as the mastermind behind the assault on Rama Kankonkar. His arrest comes after a swift investigation involving multiple accused already in custody.
Cardozo was apprehended from a hotel in Panaji by a police team led by PI Vijay Chodankar, following interrogation of the seven suspects earlier arrested. Investigators confirmed that Cardozo, a known history-sheeter at the Old Goa Police Station, had issued direct instructions to the gang to target Kankonkar.
With his arrest, the total number of accused in the assault case has now reached eight.
Motive: Previous Enmity
North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta stated that “previous enmity” was the apparent motive behind the attack.
“Zenito Cardozo had directed the group to assault Kankonkar. Further investigation is ongoing,” SP Gupta said.
Preventive Action: 12 More Arrested
In parallel with the ongoing probe, Old Goa Police carried out a preventive crackdown on Sunday, arresting 12 more individuals, including:
• Two with direct links to the accused already in custody
• Nine known history-sheeters
• One individual listed as a "bad character"
The arrested individuals include:
• Satish Bharti (19) – Merces
• Yeshwant Nippanikar (47) – St. Cruz
• Asif Ali Badekar (36) – Chimbel
• Suraj Shetye (48) – Merces
• Lourence Dias (41) – Merces
• Aniket Naik (32) – Old Goa
• Gauresh Naik (39) – Merces
• Adam Utkuri (52) – Chimbel
• Domnic Nazath (39) – Merces
• Karim Bepari (36) – St. Cruz
• Chetan Korgaokar (35) – St. Cruz
• Shelton Perera (24) – Chimbel
All 12 were arrested under Sections 126/170 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) as part of preventive policing efforts to maintain public order and deter further violence.
Total Arrests Reach 23
With these additional arrests, authorities have now detained 23 individuals in connection with the assault and associated preventive measures.
The investigation remains active, with police continuing to probe links between the accused and the broader criminal network involved in the attack.