Goa: SIT gives clean chit to Ravi Naik, son in drug-nexus case

Goa Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) gave a clean chit to former state Home minister Ravi Naik and his son, allegedly associated in a case of nexus between politicians, police and drug traffickers. The police said that 15 people — including Naik and his son — were released, as no evidence was found against them.

A 50-page report has been prepared regarding the probe. A police officer said, as reported by the Deccan Chronicle, “A detailed interrogation was conducted in the matter. We even called two persons who were not named in the House Committee report during the investigation.” He further added that the report would be submitted to the state government this week.

The Congress MLA from Ponda constituency in North Goa district and his son were indicted in 2013 by the Goa Assembly Committee’s report for allegedly having links with the drug mafia. To probe the case, an eight-member SIT, headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Edwin Colaco, was constituted in January this year.

It is to be known that the matter came to light when a Swedish model, during her stay in Goa in 2010, posted video clips with boyfriend and an alleged drug peddler. The peddler latter purportedly admitted to his links with some police personnel. Soon after that, head of Goa Police’s Anti-Narcotic Cell Ashish Shirodkar was arrested, along with four others, for their alleged links with the drug mafia. Also, the model had taken the name of big politician’s son in the case.

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