Sonali Phogat murder probe: Goa govt mulls handing over case to CBI; one more arrested
Panaji: The Goa government is mulling to handover the actor and Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat murder probe to CBI while one more person has been arrested in the case, media reports said.
Media reports said that the drug dealer was arrested on Saturday night while supplying drugs to another dealer, who had allegedly sold drugs to Sonali's associates.
The Goa Police has also arrested the owner of the restaurant where Phogat was seen partying at the night before her death.
Both have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Phogat was forced to drink methamphetamine drugs (meth) by the accused at the famous restaurant-cum-nightclub Curlie on Anjuna beach on Monday, the police have said, citing security camera footage and confessions.
Reports said that so far five people have been arrested in the case, including Sonali Phogat's associates Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, owner of Curlies Restaurant Edwin Nunes and two alleged drug peddlers -- Dattaprasad Gaonkar and Rama Mandrekar.
Police have interrogated the staff at the restaurant where Phogat drank the spiked drink, the resort where she was staying, the hospital where she was declared brought dead, and her driver--- in all 25 people.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday that if need be, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will be handed over the investigation into the alleged murder of Sonali Phogat.
“Haryana CM spoke with me, requested thorough investigation. He wants CBI to take over after family members met him and asked for same. I don't have an issue with it. After all formalities today, if required, will give this case to CBI,” said Pramod Sawant, as quoted by news agency ANI.
At a meeting with Sonali Phogat's family members on Saturday, Haryana Chief Minister Maohar Lal Khattar had said that he would write to the Goa government requesting a CBI probe in the case.
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