CBI to take over Sonali Phogat murder case: Details here
What's the story
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to soon launch an investigation into the mysterious death of Sonali Phogat in Goa. Goa CM Pramod Sawant said they are ready to hand over the case to the CBI and will speak to Goa DGP Jaspal Singh regarding the process. Phogat, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and actor, breathed her last on August 23.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The death of Phogat—a former Bigg Boss contestant and content creator—shocked many people in the entertainment and political circles. She was visiting Goa with her staff, and it was initially reported that she suffered a heart attack based on a preliminary report by a team of doctors. However, the police last week registered a murder case following the postmortem and allegations by her family.
Investigation
Sawant confirms transfer of case to CBI
On Sunday, CM Sawant confirmed that the murder case would be handed over to the CBI for investigation, a day after Phogat's family met Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and demanded a special probe into the matter. "The Haryana CM called me and urged me to hand over the case. I told him we don't have any problem," Sawant told The Times of India.
Police
DGP yet to receive orders from CM
However, DGP Singh said he is yet to receive orders regarding the transfer of the case. "I have not got any instructions from the CM yet," he said. The Goa Police has registered two cases following Phogat's murder. While her aides Sudhir Sangwan and Sukhwinder Singh have been booked in the murder case, three other accused have been nabbed in the narcotics case.
Twitter Post
'Ready to hand over the case,' Sawant said on Sunday
#WATCH | "After all formalities today, if required, will give this case to CBI": Goa CM Pramod Sawant on Sonali Phogat murder case pic.twitter.com/78y0kylEOq
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2022
Drugs
Police identify drugs used, seize remains from restaurant
Phogat was administered the methamphetamine drug, the police reportedly revealed on Saturday. "Based on the disclosure of the accused Sudhir Sangwan, the drugs given to Phogat were seized from the washroom of Curlie's restaurant. The drugs have been identified as Metamemphatamine," the Goa Police said. Officials had also said the drugs were provided by Dattprasad Gaonkar, a hotel staffer at the Grand Leoney Resort.
Twitter Post
Watch: CCTV footage of Phogat being 'forced' to drink
Sonali Phogat's CCTV footage of Curlies Club surfaced, CCTV shows how she is being forced to drink something by putting her in a drink. #SonaliPhogat #Goa pic.twitter.com/sjRQ5EQvJN
— Ashoke Raj (@Ashoke_Raj) August 28, 2022
Arrest
Five arrested following Phogat's death
On Sunday morning, the police arrested another accused in the case, Rama Mandrekar, a drug peddler in Goa. Previously, on Saturday, the police also nabbed the owner of Curlie's, named Edwin Nunes, besides Gaonkar. A total of five people, including Phogat's associates Sangwan and Singh, have now been arrested for the alleged murder of the 42-year-old actor-turner-politician.
Details
Phogat was drugged by two accomplices: Police
To recall, Phogat was brought dead to a Goa hospital last Monday. Her personal assistant Sangwan and his friend Singh were arrested on Thursday on murder charges following a complaint by Phogat's family. On Friday, the police said Phogat might have died under the influence of drugs, as her two aides had admitted to mixing obnoxious substances in her drink.