Activist moves GSHRC on murder charge against BJP leader

A social activist in Goa today moved the state human rights body seeking a proper probe into the sensational claim made by a former driver of BJP leader Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane that the latter shot dead a man in 2006, and accused police of dragging their feet in the matter.
Pandurang Adarkar, a former driver of Rane, has claimed to have witnessed the murder of one Shanu Gaonkar by the BJP leader, who contested the February 4 Assembly polls.
The issue came to light when a video of Adarkar, in which he purportedly claimed he was witness to Rane shooting Gaonkar dead in Sattari tehsil, went viral on social media.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues moved the Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) accusing police of dragging their feet over inquiry in the matter, and sought custodial interrogation of Rane, who contested the election from Poriem constituency against Congress leader Pratapsinh Rane.
Rodrigues, in a petition filed before GSHRC, accused the Investigating Officer of buckling under pressure of "senior politicians" and not arresting Rane and another man, in whose bar the alleged murder happened.
Rodrigues pleaded before the commission thatthe Chief Secretary and Director General of Police be directed to explain as to what steps they are taking to ensure a proper investigation into the alleged murder.

The former driver alleged that Rane shot dead Gaonkar whom he accused of being involved in the killing of his (Rane's) brother Prithviraj in 2005.

Adarkar, a native of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, was detained on Sunday by Valpoi police, who are verifying authenticity of his statement.
"Clinching evidence has surfaced that shows Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane shot dead Gaonkar in 2006," Rodrigues claimed in the petition.
Adarkar has claimed the incident took place in a bar owned by the son of a former State Minister.
"The police, perhaps on directives of senior politicians, are intentionally dragging their feet and are only questioning the driver instead of nabbing the main accused," the petition read.

The activist said "the Government's failure to nab the real culprit violates the human rights of the the deceased's family".
"Adarkar has been detained. He has confessed to being witness to the murder of Gaonkar, who is missing since 2006," said Inspector Dipak Pednekar yesterday. Preliminary inquiry has started under the supervision of SP Karthik Kashyap.
Rane was not available for comments.