Panaji: Porvorim Police have successfully detected a major highway robbery case with the arrest of a notorious criminal from Pune. The accused, identified as Mukhtar Sayyad Irani (34), a native of Loni Kalbhor, Pune, was apprehended on 31st October 2025 with the assistance of the Pune Crime Branch and brought to Goa.
According to PI Rahul Parab, the case dates back to 12th October 2025, when unidentified persons posing as policemen stopped a vehicle and robbed ₹8 lakh in cash. Acting swiftly, Porvorim Police formed multiple teams that launched an intensive investigation, tracing the accused to Pune and Kalyan (Mumbai).
During the raids, a Suzuki Burgman scooter used in the crime was seized from Ambivali, Thane, and brought to Goa. The investigation team camped in notorious Irani localities in Pune and Thane, mingling within the area to identify the suspects. However, as the accused had absconded, the team maintained surveillance and later managed to arrest Mukhtar Sayyad Irani, who is found to be a habitual offender with 18 previous cases registered against him across Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The accused has been remanded to four days of police custody, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects and recover the stolen amount.
Additionally, two more individuals have been detained for questioning and will be arrested soon:
- Daison Agnelo Coutinho (31), resident of Umtawado, Calangute.
- Suraj Thakur (21), resident of Orda, Candolim.
The investigation is being supervised by SP North Rahul Gupta (IPS) and SDPO Vishwesh Karpe, under the leadership of PI Rahul Parab. The core team includes PSIs Sitaram Malik, Mandar Parab, Arun Shirodkar, and constables Mahadev Naik, Nitesh Gaude, Akash Navelkar, Amit Narvekar, Hemant Gaonkar, Bhikaji Parab, Devidas Malkar, and others.
Further investigation is in progress.
