Margao Mosque Murder Case: Six Arrested as Investigation Intensifies
The investigation into the brutal murder of Ali Khan, the 40-year-old vice-president of Sunni Gulistan Masjid located at Gogol Housing Board in Margao, has taken a significant turn with the arrest of two more suspects on Saturday night. This development brings the total number of arrests in this high-profile case to six, as law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to unravel the motives behind this shocking crime.
Latest Arrests and Police Custody Details
On Saturday, police apprehended Nizamuddin Sayyed and Firoz Sheikh, adding to the four individuals who were taken into custody a day earlier. Those arrested on Friday include Akram Khan, Ubed Makandar, Alam Sayyed, and Rizwan Sheikh. A local court has remanded all six accused in seven days of police custody, allowing investigators ample time for thorough interrogation and evidence collection.
In a parallel development late Friday night, police conducted an extensive combing operation that led to the detention of six additional persons for questioning. These individuals have been identified as Sahil alias Spyki, Mehboob Makandar, Taj Makandar, Allauddin Sayyed, Latif Sayyed, and Ayub Sayyed. Police authorities have confirmed that intensive interrogation of these detainees is currently underway as part of the broader investigation strategy.
Legal Framework and Alleged Motive
All the accused individuals have been formally booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to preliminary police findings, the murder appears to have stemmed from a longstanding dispute between two rival groups within the community. The conflict reportedly centered around control and distribution of donation money collected from marriages and various community events, highlighting how financial disagreements can escalate into violent confrontations.
Administrative Action: Mosque Sealed for Public Safety
In a decisive move to maintain public order and prevent further unrest, the South Goa administration took the extraordinary step of sealing the Sunni Gulistan Masjid at Gogol on Saturday. This is the very location where the tragic murder occurred, making it a crucial site for both investigation and community safety considerations.
The sealing order was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers authorities to implement preventive measures necessary for maintaining public tranquility. Sub-divisional magistrate Ganesh Barve directed that the mosque premises remain completely closed and secured for a period of two days. The order explicitly states: "During the said period, no person shall be permitted to enter or exit the premises except with prior written permission from the officer-in-charge, Fatorda police station, or any officer duly authorised by him."
This temporary closure represents a balancing act between respecting religious spaces and ensuring community safety during a sensitive investigation. Authorities have indicated that upon expiry of this two-day period, the situation will be carefully reviewed based on comprehensive inputs from local police reports and other relevant intelligence sources. The decision about whether to extend the sealing order or allow normal operations to resume will depend entirely on the security assessment at that time.
The Margao murder case continues to unfold with multiple layers of investigation involving arrests, detentions, and administrative measures. As police work to establish clear motives and identify all involved parties, the community awaits justice for Ali Khan while authorities maintain vigilance to prevent any escalation of tensions in the area.
