Inmate murders Bhatkally gangster in Goa jail

A gangster lodged in Colvale prison in North Goa was allegedly killed by a fellow inmate on Tuesday, prompting Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to seek a report in this connection. Even as police handed over the investigation to crime branch, Parsekar told the Legislative Assembly that he has sought a report on the incident which is a “custodial death”. “I have asked for a detailed report as this is a custodial death,” he told the House. The incident occurred at around 9 AM when Ashpaq Ubbass Bengre, lodged in the jail on under charges of drug peddling and extortion, was attacked with a sharp weapon by another inmate when he was being brought out of the jail to be taken to court in connection with a case, Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes told reporters. Bengre was rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said, adding that an internal inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Meanwhile, refusing to divulge any details, Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg told reporters that, “We have handed over the investigation into the case to crime branch. They will do the complete investigation of the crime.” Bengre, in his late 40s, was booked by Karnataka, Goa and Chandigarh police for various offences like extortion and drug peddling, police said. He was brought to Goa on a transfer remand after being arrested by Chandigarh police for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country in May last year, sources said.