Water146;s edge

AT the end of every year, every one wants to be part of the carnival that is Goa. But there is trouble in paradise. Pedophilia, narcotic tra...

AT the end of every year, every one wants to be part of the carnival that is Goa. But there is trouble in paradise. Pedophilia, narcotic trafficking and frauds are increasingly playing party poopers. Charles Sobhraj8217;s arrest in Goa fifteen years ago was more dramatic perhaps, but scores of lesser known criminals lurk in the dark shadow of this sunshine state.

But none shook Goa as much as the murder of Delhi couple Vikas Suhas Nanda, 26, and wife Priya, 23. The two came to Goa on February 26, 1999 on their honeymoon. On a beach shack in Vagator, they befriended another couple, Sanjay Thakran and Anjali. In conversation, Vikas mentioned that they were carrying cash and jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh.

What happened next is not quite clear but apparently the Thakrans invited the Nandas to join them at Sernabatim in south Goa. While Sanjay allegedly coaxed Vikas into swimming late at night and drowning him, his wife was accused of drowning Priya in Vagator.

THE murders left Goa Police completely confused. How was one body found in north Goa and another in south? As the police grappled with these questions, the accused continued staying in Goa for the next five months.


	Vikas and Priya Nanda top left left for Goa soon after their wedding . They never returned. Accused Sanjay and Anjali Thakran above were let off for lack of evidence. They now run a restaurant in Baga, Goa8217;s most happening stretch

It was only when a daily in Delhi carried a story on this in end-June that matters came to a head. Its immediate effect was that the couple fled to Agra. It also made Suhas Nanda, father of the murdered Vikas, go to Goa to start a private probe. In the course of investigation he found that his son and daughter-in-law were seen with another couple with a child with a disability. He trailed them to Agra where relatives of the Thakrans admitted that the couple was not to be trusted . It was only then that Nanda informed the Goa Police who raided the Thakrans8217; Agra house, arrested Sanjay and Anjali, booking them for murder.

From the sessions court, the case went to the High Court but the two were let off for lack of evidence. According to investigating officer PI Sandesh Chodankar, the courts suspected the involvement of the couple in the murder but there were some missing links. The case was admitted in the Supreme Court three months ago. Suhas Nanda says he has little faith in the police and has now appointed his own advocate in the Supreme Court.

	CASE FILE
	Sunset Beach 8226; Vikas and Priya Nanda were killed on their honeymoon in Goa on February 27,1999 8226; While Vikas8217;s body was found in south Goa, Priya8217;s was found in Vagator, north Goa 8226; Sanjay and Anjali Thakran were accused of killing them for money, but were let off Story continues below this ad

THE accused, meanwhile, have opened a restaurant in Baga, north Goa. The fact that many cases are pending against them not only in Goa but even in Delhi and the US, has not come in their way. Recently, however, Abdul Mateen of Dawood Electricals in Margao, won a case against them in a local court. The Thakrans have been directed to pay him Rs 29,000 along with 21 per cent interest.

The case has highlighted the darker side of tourism in the sunny sand state and underlined the need to strengthen the state8217;s tourism police. Social workers haver pointed out that in the absence of any supervisory mechanism on tourists, narcotics trafficking and pedophilia has increased rapidly over the years.