Goa Doctor’s House Hit by Armed Robbers; Rs 50 Lakh Looted After Tea Break
Pre-Dawn Robbery in Mapusa: Doctor’s Family Held Hostage
In a shocking incident early Tuesday morning, a gang of five to six masked and armed robbers broke into the residence of Dr. Mahendra Ghanekar, a senior gynaecologist at the North Goa District Hospital, in the upscale Ganeshpuri area of Mapusa. The family—Dr. Ghanekar, his wife Dr. Anuradha Ghanekar, their 14-year-old daughter, and his 80-year-old mother—were held hostage for over two hours between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM. The robbers tied up the family members using bedsheets and gagged them with pillow covers. Despite their threats and intimidation, no one sustained serious physical injuries.
Robbers Take Tea and Snacks During Heist
In an unsettling twist, the robbers reportedly asked Dr. Ghanekar’s elderly mother to prepare tea, which they consumed along with fruits from the refrigerator while the family remained bound and gagged. This bizarre behavior has led investigators to believe that the assailants were professionals, familiar with such operations.
Loot Worth Rs 50 Lakh and Escape in Family Car
The robbers ransacked the house, making off with cash and jewellery valued at approximately Rs 50 lakh. They also took four mobile phones and the family’s car. The vehicle was later found abandoned under the Mandovi Bridge in Panaji. Police believe the robbers discarded the mobile phones intentionally to avoid being tracked.
Swift Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving the distress call, police teams from Mapusa, the crime branch, and the forensic department swiftly arrived at the scene. A dog squad was deployed, and fingerprint experts collected samples. CCTV footage from areas between Ganeshpuri and Guirim showed two cars speeding towards Panaji around 5:15 AM, one resembling Dr. Ghanekar’s vehicle. Investigations revealed that two of the robbers had arrived earlier from Belagavi. After the robbery, five of them fled in their vehicle, while the other two drove Dr. Ghanekar’s car and, after abandoning it, proceeded to the Panaji bus stand. They then hired a taxi to Belagavi, returning to Panaji later. Police teams have been dispatched to Belagavi, Bengaluru, and Kolhapur to aid the investigation.
Government Assurances and Public Concern
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the family and described the crime as a professionally executed dacoity. He assured the public that the culprits would be apprehended soon. In light of the gravity of the incident, senior officials, including Director General of Police Alok Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma, and North Goa Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, visited the crime scene. The Chief Minister has instructed the police to intensify security measures, including setting up additional checkpoints and increasing night patrolling.