In a brazen incident in Goa's capital, two official four-wheelers belonging to the state's directorate of panchayats have been reported stolen from a parking area in Caranzalem. The Panaji police have now registered a formal case and are investigating the disappearance of the government vehicles.
Details of the Theft Incident
The complaint was lodged by Mahadev J Araundekar, the Director of Panchayats. According to his statement to the police, the two vehicles were originally moved to the Camrabhat area near International Hotel in Caranzalem during a clean-up drive. This drive was reportedly organized by the former chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). The vehicles had been picked up from Junta House and parked at this location.
Araundekar stated that the cars had remained parked at the Caranzalem site for a considerable period. The discovery of their disappearance was made on September 2, 2025. Officials found the vehicles missing from their designated spot. A subsequent search of the surrounding area failed to locate the four-wheelers, prompting the formal police complaint.
Police Action and Investigation
Upon receiving the complaint, the Panaji police swiftly registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified persons. The case marks the beginning of an official probe into the theft of government property. Authorities are likely to examine CCTV footage from the vicinity and question individuals as part of the standard investigative procedure.
The prolonged parking of the vehicles at an apparently unsecured location raises questions about the safekeeping of government assets. The incident highlights a lapse in monitoring, as the vehicles went missing without immediate detection.
Implications and Next Steps
The theft of official vehicles from a state department is a serious matter, involving loss of public property. The directorate of panchayats is a key administrative body overseeing local village governance in Goa. The investigation will aim to trace the unidentified culprits and recover the stolen vehicles.
This event serves as a reminder for government departments to ensure proper security protocols for their movable assets, especially when they are stationed at non-depot locations for extended durations. The Panaji police's investigation is currently underway, and further updates are awaited.
