Pernem, November 2, 2025:
In a major breakthrough, Pernem Police have arrested five persons, including two IRBn constables, in connection with a firing incident at Uguvem, Pernem, believed to have stemmed from disputes over illegal sand extraction.
According to Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Rahul Gupta, IPS, the police registered an attempt to murder case (Cr. No. 66/2025) on October 28, 2025, under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Section 3 read with 25 of the Arms Act, based on a complaint by Ramrishi Pasawan (54) of Khajne, Poroscodem, Pernem.
The complainant stated that around 2:30 a.m. on October 28, while he and his colleague Lalbabu God (37) were extracting sand from the Terekhol River, unknown assailants opened fire, causing serious injuries to both men.
During the investigation, multiple police teams under PI Sachin Lokre used technical and scientific analysis to trace and apprehend the culprits. The arrested accused have been identified as:
1. Nehal Mahale (20), Temwada, Ugvem, Pernem
2. Ashish Mahale (24), Temwada, Ugvem, Pernem
3. Akash Mahale (24), Ugvem, Pernem
4. Rishikesh Mahale (32), Temwada, Pernem — IRBn Police Constable
5. Gangaram Mahale (34), Bhatiwada, Ugvem, Pernem — IRBn Police Constable
The accused reportedly confessed to their involvement, and police are in the process of recovering the weapon and vehicle used in the crime.
Officials stated that the motive appears to be linked to local opposition to illegal sand extraction, as several residents fear damage to paddy fields and agricultural land.
SP Rahul Gupta confirmed that strict departmental action will be taken against the police personnel involved.
The investigation team included PI Sachin Lokre, PSI Sahil Naik, PSI Harish Vaigankar, PSI Prathamesh Parsekar, PSI Pravin Simepurushkar, PSI Tukaram Chodankar, HC Tirthraj Mhamal, and several constables. The Crime Branch, led by DySP Rajesh Kumar and PI Tushar Lotliker, also assisted in tracing the accused. The probe is being supervised by SDPO Pernem Ms. Shridevi B.V., IPS, under the overall direction of SP North Goa Rahul Gupta, IPS.
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Separate Case Registered for Illegal Sand Extraction at Terekhol River
In a related action, Pernem Police registered another case (Cr. No. 67/2025) based on a complaint by PSI Sahil Naik, against individuals involved in illegal sand extraction from the Terekhol River at Uguvem. The offence was booked under Sections 303(2), 3(5) of BNS and Sections 3 and 62(2) of the Goa, Daman & Diu Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 1985.
Police arrested seven accused persons, including canoe owners and five labourers working under them, identified as:
1. Robert Fernandes (46), Khajne, Poroscodem
2. Ashok Mulgaonkar (48), Poroscodem
and labourers — Sonelal Chaudhary (25), Munna Bin (38), Sonu Paswan (21), Vikas Bin (31), and Yogendra Chaudhari (30) — all residents of Bihar and currently residing in Pernem.
Additionally, 11 canoe owners have been issued notices under Section 35(3) of BNSS for their suspected involvement in the illegal operation. The investigation aims to determine how the sand extraction network operated and to fix accountability on those complicit.
Both investigations are ongoing under the supervision of PI Sachin Lokre and SDPO Pernem Ms. Shridevi B.V., IPS, and overall direction of SP North Goa Rahul Gupta, IPS.
