PANJIM: It’s been 14 days since the incident of a New Vadem Vasco occurred, but there is no sign of Navy man Anurag Rajawat, accused by his in-laws of initiating moves, which led to the killing of his wife and her mother in what is known as the Vasco vapour cloud explosion case.
While sources claim that he has been detained by the Navy, there is no confirmation on his whereabouts. Police say that they are waiting for the report of the SDM to take further action in the matter.
It is surprising though, why the police cannot take cognisance of what can be construed as a criminal complaint of murder beyond the aspect of an unnatural death of a woman within seven years of her marriage.
In a grave tragedy on Saturday, November 18, Jaidevi Chauhan aged 50 years and Shivani, wife of a Naval Engineer Anurag Singh Rajawat aged 26 years lost their lives in a mysterious explosion in Vasco. What was initially being called a cylinder blast, was found to be a gas vapour cloud explosion.
Already the brother and son of deceased Shivani Rajawat and Jaidevi Chauhan has named his brother-in-law Anurag Rajawat as the prime suspect in what he terms the incident to be a “planned murder”. Surprisingly, this happens when naval officer Anurag Rajawat who is the suspect in the matter wrote to the Sub Divisional Magistrate to release the body of Shivani to conduct final rites.
In his letter to the SDM, deceased Shivani's brother says, “Attempts are being made by Anurag Rajawat to make the death of my mother Jaidevi and my sister Shivani look like an accident. Their death is not an accident but a well-planned murder,” he said.
While naming his brother-in-law Anurag, Shubham said, “I suspect that Anurag has murdered my mother and my wife and has tried to make it look like it was an accident. Hence, until it is clear how they died I request not to give the dead body of my sister to Anurag Rajawat or any other person".
Now, Police say that the inquiry is pending with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
When asked about the whereabouts of Rajawat, South Goa Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Dhania said, “It has nothing to do with the investigation. The recording of statements has to be done by the SDM under section 176. Once it is done, based on that we register the case,” he said, adding, “once the report is received, we will take further decision.”
Mormugao SDM, Bhagwant Karmali while speaking to a section of press, has said that he will be recording the statement of Shubham Singh Chauhan and his father Dilip Singh Chauhan on December 7, while the statement of Anurag Rajawat will be recorded the following day.