IN THE COURT OF SESSIONS, PANAJI

State of Goa
v.
Maj. (Retd) J.S.Rana
S.C. No. 467 of 2013

1. 31st December is a day that Goa’s Casinos most look forward to. Not only is the
business roaring, but most properties and ships that house these centers of entertainment
and abandon have their hotels booked to capacity. One such ship is the ‘Aurora’ that
houses Goa’s latest and most swanky Montecito Hotel and Casino. The Aurora stands tall
in the Mandovi river and the only access to the ship is via motorboats that ferry people to
and fro.

2. On the fateful night of 31stDecember 2012, the Montecito was hosting the
town’s most coveted party, however, only a select few knew that within the Montecito
was a gathering of people that was even more exclusive. Octavious, Montecieto’s
high stakes floor was that day playing host to a Poker invitational that came with a
buy-in of 50 lac Rupees. Invitations to this exclusive event were restricted to the
Casino’s Black Card holders and entry was limited to the first forty guests who
committed to the buy-in. The buy-in was to be in cash with the winner taking all. In
addition to these players the only other people allowed access to Octavious were
select employees, guests of Ms. Shonali Gujral, CEO and President of the Montecito
and Maj. (Retd.) J.S. Rana, Head of Operations (Security).

3. By about 8 P.M. on the 31st night, the buy-in formalities were complete and
the money was shifted to Octavious’ special vault that was located on the same floor.
Post 11 pm while revelries were in progress, the Octavious vault was breached by 4
men dressed in fine suits. The money inside the vault was put into 8 waterproof bags,
but just as these men were about to make an exit, the alarm was triggered. They ran
towards the deck and threw the bags overboard into a motorboat that was waiting for
them. In order to make their escape the men were carrying ropes to rappel down to the
getaway boat. Two men got away, while the others awaited their turn to rappel down.
At this moment the Casino’s Chief Security Officer, Michael Barbosa ordered them to
stop, a command they were happy to disobey. To further aid in their escape they took
an unsuspecting guest of the Casino, who was out on the deck for a smoke, hostage.
Michael fired a warning shot in the air with his casino issue, Glock .38 handgun.
When they still didn’t stop or let the hostage go, he fired at one man’s knee and
subdued him. While this was happening, Maj. (Retd.) J.S. Rana reached the spot and
shot dead the other man, with a special edition Smith and Wesson custom engraved
model 60 .38 revolver.

  1  
 4. Unfortunately for Ms. Shonali Gujral, the two remaining men made a successful
getaway with 12 Crore rupees. The police reached the Aurora at 12:15 am and proceeded
to register an F.I.R. under Section 395 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 25 &
27 of the Arms Act, 1959.

5. Post investigation and submission of the report under Section 173 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure 1973, the learned Magistrate found that the case is exclusively triable
by the Court of Sessions and therefore after following due procedure committed the case
to the said Court.

List of Witnesses

1. Ms. Shonali Gujral (PW 1)

2. Mr. Bhaskar Sanyal (PW 2)
3. Dr. Dehant Trehan (PW 3)
4. Inspector Aamir Bashir (PW4)
5. Dr. Saabah Hooda (PW5)
6. Maj. (Retd) J. S. Rana (DW1)
7. Ms. Zareen Malik (DW2)
8. Mr. Shekhar Subramaniyam (DW3)
9. Mr. Michael Barbosa (DW 4)
10. Dr. D.D. Dang (DW 5)

[For the purposes of the competition it is to be presumed that Maj. J.S.Rana has
consented to be examined as a witnesses during the trial].

List of Exhibits

1. Smith and Wesson custom engraved model 60 .38 revolver

2. Standard issue Glock .38 handgun
3. Live Hornady .38 Cartridges
4. Coils of rope
5. Empty shells

  2  
 ANNEXURE - 1
DEPICTION OF CRIME SCENE
(Aurora’s Deck)
 
 

E
 
 
  F
 
G
POOL
B
D
C

NOTE: Indicative Sketch. NOT TO SCALE. The key to the map is annexed as a separate sheet

  3  
KEY

A. Michael Barbosa
B. Zareen Malik
C. Shekhar Subramaniyam
D. Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar
E. Maj. (Retd.) J.S. Rana
F. Dead body of Brij Gopal @ Babaji
G. Ropes used to rappel down
H. Stairs
I. Stairs

  4  
 ANNEXURE - 2
FIRST INFORMATION REPORT
(Under Section 154 Cr.P.C.)

1. District: Panaji PS: Division 3

Year: 2013 FIR No. 001 Date: 01.01.2013

2. Act (s): Sections (s):

(i) Indian Penal Code, 1860 395
(ii) Arms Act, 1959 25, 27

3. Occurrence of Offence:
(a) Day: Monday Date from: 31.12.2012
Date to: 31.12.2012
Time Period: 1 hour. Time From: 11:00 pm
Time To: 12:00 midnight
(b) Information received at P.S.
Date: 01.01.2013 Time: 12:01 hrs.

4. Type of Information: Oral

5. Place of Occurrence: Montecito Hotel and Casino, Aurora Ship, Mandovi river.

6. Complainant/Informant:
(a) Name: Ms. Shonali Gujral
(b) Age: 33, Nationality: Indian

7. Details of known/suspect/unknown accused with full particulars: Bhaskar Sanyal

and certain unknown persons.

8. Reason for delay in reporting by the complainant/informant: No delay.

9. Particulars of the properties stolen/ involved (attach separate sheet if necessary):

(i) Rs.12,00,00,000/- in cash.

10. Total value of property stolen: Rs. 12 Crore.

11. Inquest Report/ U.D. Case No., if any: N.A.

12. FIR Contents:

“The Moneteceito was playing host to the city’s biggest party and at the
Octavious, we were also hosting a Black Card Invitational that was restricted only
to our most esteemed guests. The buy-in to this tournament was Rs. 50 Lakh, and
the winner would have walked away with Rs. 18 Crore, with the Casino taking a
10% commission. Once the buy-in was complete, we moved all the money to the
Octavious’ special vault that is located on the same floor. We didn’t move the
money to the main vault as Maj. Rana thought that it won’t be a good idea. The
event was going on as per schedule, and I was feeling pretty good about the
evening.

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 However, at around 11:30-11:45 pm I was informed by my security officer that
there had been firing aboard the Aurora, and he whisked me away to safety. Maj.
Rana then informed me that we’ve had a break in, and some money from
Octavious’ vault has disappeared. I don’t know how this could have possibly
happened, Maj. Rana told me that we have the most secure vault in all the country
and that it was virtually impenetrable. I don’t have the technical details about it,
but you can ask Maj. Rana. He also told me that he had to shoot one of the thieves
as he was escaping, and that Michael has also shot another thief in the leg. I
recognise Bhaskar as the injured person. He used to be an employee here at the
Monteceito, infact he is the one who helped setup the security system. I wonder
what Michael must have felt on seeing him, after all he was Michael’s friend and
I only hired him on his personal recommendation”.

13. Action taken (Since the above information reveals commission of offence (s) u/s
as mentioned at item No.2: Aamir Bashir, Rank: S.I. has taken up the
investigation.

F.I.R. read over to complainant/ informant admitted to be correctly recorded and a copy
given to the complainant / informant free of costs.

Sd/- Sd/-
Signature/ Thumb impression Signature of Officer:
of the Complainant/Informant. Name: Vinod Kumar
Rank : ASI.

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 ANNEXURE - 3
PANCHNAMA/MAHAZAR

On 01.01.13, at 1:20 am the investigating officer visited the spot of the occurrence of the
crime. After observing the place and taking statements, he prepared a sketch. The
following items were taken into possession in front of witnesses:

1. Smith and Wesson custom engraved model 60 .38 revolver – 1

2. Standard issue Glock .38 handgun – 2
3. Empty shells – 4
4. Live Hornady .38 cartridges - 17
5. Coils of rope – 2
6. Dead body of Mr. Brij Gopal.

Mr. Shekhar Subramaniyam, (Hostage) resident of Anjuna and Ms. Zareen Malik (eye
witness), resident of Mumbai, present on the scene consented to be witnesses, and have
attested the Panchnama.

Sd/-
Aamir Bashir
Investigating Officer

Witnesses:

Sd/- Sd/-
Shekhar Subramaniyam Zareen Malik
#13, Anjuna Beach Road #534, Galaxy Heights,
Bardez Taluka, Goa Bandra, Mumbai.

  7  
 ANNEXURE – 4

POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION REPORT

GOA MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL

PM No. 3 Date: 01.01.2013

AUTOPSY REPORT

NAME OF DECEDENT: Brij Gopal SEX: Male AGE: 38

HEIGHT: 5 feet 8 inches WEIGHT: 70 kgs.

HOME ADDRESS: Unknown

DATE AND TIME OF DEATH: About 9-10 hours before the Examination

DATE AND TIME OF AUTOPSY: 1st January 2013 at 0900 hours.

FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: Dr. Dehant Trehan

IDENTIFICATION MARKS: 1. Black Mole on the Right Thigh

2. Tattoo of a key on the inside of the left forearm.

SENT BY: SI Aamir Basheer

REQUISTION RECEIVED AT: 1st January 2013 at 0830 hours

CLOTHES: A black three-piece suit, bow-tie, black leather shoes, white shirt, white
undershirt, blue boxers, 2 black socks and one black belt.

PATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS

§ Adult male suffered single, close range, perforating gunshot wound on the frontalis about
½ inch from the centre towards the right:

• The bullet caused subscalpular hemorrhage, patchy skull fractures, patchy

subdural hemorrhage, injury to the cerebral cortex, injury to the cerebellum and
extensive damage to the bases of the brain tissue.
• The bullet exited through the Foramen Magnum.
• There is a wide zone of powder soot, and seared blackened skin around the
entrance wound.
• Direction of the wound track: Leftward, backward and downward.
• Patchy subarachnoid hemorrhage.

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 EXTERNAL EXAMINATION

The body is that of an adult male measuring 172.2 cm and weighing 70 kilograms. The
body is normally developed and consistent with the given age of 38 years. The scalp is
round. The nose is long. The mouth and lips are red. The tongue is white and long. Total
no. of teeth present are 31 and are white. The ears are bilateral prominent.

He was received with a black three-piece suit, white shirt, white undershirt, blue boxers,
bow-tie, black leather shoes, 2 black socks and one black belt. The blazer is stained with
blood. No defect in clothing, consistent with a single gunshot wound to the frontalis. Post
mortem changes consist of fixed posterior livor mortis and full rigor mortis.

The scalp hair is black and short. There is no facial hair, evidence of shaving exist. The
corneas are cloudy. The irides are grey. The mouth contains natural teeth. The ears, nose
and mouth show no abnormalities. The neck is of normal configuration and there are no
palpable masses. The extremities are symmetrical and normally developed.

Identifying marks include a tattoo of a key on the inside of the left forearm and a mole on
the right thigh.

There is no evidence of emergency medical intervention.

EVIDENCE OF INJURY

At the time of autopsy there is a single gunshot wound:

The entry wound is a 15 mm close range perforating gunshot wound on the frontalis
about half inch from the center. The entry wound is round with sharp margins and shows
internal beveling. There is a wide zone of powder soot, and seared blackened skin around
the entrance. A hemorrhagic wound track passes leftward, backward and downward
causing patchy subscalpular hemorrhage, patchy skull fractures, patchy subdural
hemorrhage, injury to the cerebral cortex, injury to the cerebellum, and extensive damage
to the bases of the brain tissue. There is extensive damage to the left frontal lobe. The
injuries suffered are consistent with a medium caliber bullet.

The exit wound is a 33mm (approx.) highly irregular starry shaped wound with external
beveling.

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

The organs occupy normal positions, and all the internal organs are in a state of autolysis.
There are no adhesions or mass lesions.

Head and Neck: Brain weighs 1350 grams. There are no other injuries except for the
injuries described above.

Cardiovascular System: The heart weighs 360 grams and is unremarkable.

Respiratory System: The Right lung weighs 490 grams and left weighs 410 grams.

Digestive System and Liver: The stomach contains fresh food particles, which includes
fruit and rice. The liver weighs 1600 grams. The gallbladder contains 11cc of bile. The
pancreas is otherwise unremarkable.

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Genitourinary System; The right and left kidney weighs 150 and 170 grams
respectively. The calyces, pelvis and ureters are patent and unremarkable. The urinary
bladder contains approximately 750 cc of urine.

• The intestines are unremarkable and carry partially digested mater.

• The spinal cord is intact.
• There are no signs of decomposition.
• The Viscera has been preserved.

Postmortem Concluded at: 1st January 2013 at 1010 hours

Opinion: Immediate death due to gunshot wound to the frontalis.

Sd/-

Dr. Dehant Trehan

Medical Officer

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 ANNEXURE - 5
MEDICO LEGAL REPORT

Medico Legal Report No. 2 Dated: 01.01.2013

Consent not required as person is in an accused.

I, Dr. D.D. Dang , Goa Medical College and Hospital examined Sh. Bhaskar Sanyal @
Sarkar s/o Raj Kumar Sanyal, Aged 37 years, Sex: Male

• Date & Time of arrival: 01:15 am

• Date & Time of examination: 01:20 am

• Place of examination: Casualty/Ward/OPD/Dept: Emergency

• Police request Number & Date (if brought by police): 2, dated 01.01.2013

• Brought by Police official Hav. Madhur Mathur, PS Division 3, Panaji Police

Station Distt Panaji.

• Identification marks of the patient (1) Mole below the lower lip.

Injuries:

• Gunshot wound appears on the right thigh.

• Entry wound is an 18 mm round wound with sharp margins and shows internal
beveling. The entry wound is on lower medial side of the right thigh. The wound
is approx. 5 inches above the knee joint.

• The exit wound is a 30mm (approx.) highly irregular starry shaped wound with
external beveling on lateral side. The exit wound is approx. 3 inches above the
knee joint.

• There is distinct charring of the skin around the entry wound with the soot
radiating outwards.

• The injury is grievous in nature.

Kind of Weapon Used:

• A medium caliber bullet

Sd/-
(Dr. D.D. Dang)

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 ANNEXURE - 6

FORENSIC REPORT

Examinations requested:

• Examination of firearms.
• Cartridge and shell examination.
• Characterization and evaluation of fired projectiles.
• Bullet comparison and identification.
• Gunshot residue and distance determination.

List of evidence items received:

• 1 Smith and Wesson custom engraved model 60 .38 revolver.

• 2 standard issue Glock .38 Handguns.
• 17 x .38 live hornady cartridges and 4 empty shell from the crime scene.

Examination of Firearms:

• The firearms were surrendered at the crime scene. A total of three guns were
surrendered.

§ 1 Smith and Wesson custom engraved model 60 .38 revolver with a

capacity of 5 rounds. Custom engraved stainless steel barrel. White
rubber grip.
§ 2 standard issue Glock .38 Handgun with a capacity of 8 rounds.
§ No finger prints were found on any of the guns.

Cartridge and Shell Examination:

• There were 17 x .38 Live Hornady Cartridges recovered.

• 4 empty shells recovered from the deck.
• The cartridges, on examination prove that they can be used in the Smith and
Wesson revolver as well as the Glock 38.
• The empty shells are also of the .38 Hornady Cartridges.

Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles:

The fired projectiles are:

• Hornady XTP Bullets .38 Caliber 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow point.
• They have the capability of traveling a distance of 60 meters (without dipping)
and otherwise a distance of 100 meters approximately.

Bullet Comparison and Identification:

• 4 shells were recovered near the crime scene on the deck.

• The grooves on three bullets match the standard issue Glock .38 Handgun.

  12  
 • The grooves on one bullet match the Smith and Wesson custom engraved model
60 .38 revolver.

Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination:

• Test results conducted on the wound of the deceased victim show that the
entrance wound is surrounded by a wide zone of powder soot, and seared
blackened skin. This suggests proximity of the firearm with the deceased, with a
distance of not more than 15 feet, at the time of discharge of the weapon. The
entry and exit wound are parallel to each other showing that the victim and the
shooter were standing at the same level.

24.01.13 Sd/-
Panaji Dr. Saabah Hooda

  13  
 ANNEXURE – 7
STATEMENT OF WITNESSES

(Statements under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973)
 
Persons examined:
1. Ms. Shonali Gujral
2. Mr. Michael Barbosa
3. Maj. (Retd) J. S. Rana
4. Ms. Zareen Malik
5. Mr. Shekhar Subramaniyam
6. Mr. Bhaskar Sanyal

1. Ms. Shonali Gujral d/o Mr. V.K. Gujral, aged about 33 years

Today is the first anniversary of the Montecito Hotel and Casino, and in addition to it I
also own the ‘Pharaoh’, which is housed on a ship smaller than the Aurora. That property
has also been running successfully for the last five years without incident. With the
Montecito we wanted to bring the glitz and glamour of Vegas to India and I spared no
cost in making it the best. Within six months of its launch, it had become the most
coveted and sought after place for the discerning. The security systems at the Montecito
were truly world class and we had taken the best possible precautionary measures to
avoid any incident and I had special men on guard. New Years’ eve is always a high
activity time for any hotel or casino in Goa and we are the Monteceito! Octavious is the
high stakes floor at the Montecito and it was playing host to an exclusive tournament. In
addition to the players, only a few people had access, some members of the staff, and
guests of Maj. Rana and myself. Maj. Rana can make details of the guests and employees
available to you as he had the final call on who was allowed to enter.
I along with a few of my friends was enjoying the evening, when I was suddenly
informed that there had been firing on the ship and I was frisked to safety by my personal
bodyguard. I was thereafter informed that Michael had caught of one of the thieves and
shot him on his leg and Maj. Rana had shot dead another. However, despite all their
efforts they could not salvage any of the bags containing the money. Even though the
Casino is insured but we have faced a great hit both financially and to our reputation.
Everything said and done, there is one thing that has deeply disturbed me – a man has
died on my ship and I wonder if Maj. Rana could have just shot him in the leg like
Michael. But perhaps Michael didn’t shoot to kill because he saw a friend in Bhaskar. I
don’t know who to trust.

2. Mr. Michael Barbosa, S/o Mr. Joel Barbosa, aged about 47 years

I work as the Chief Security Officer at the Montecito and take great pride in my work.
Talking of the fateful day, preparations for the 31st night are always intense and
gruesome. Nothing can be left to chance and all this needs to be carried out without
security becoming a visible distraction for the guests. On the 31st night, Maj. Rana was in
charge of the security inside the Octavious and I was to oversee the security over the
other parts of the Casino. Since we were using Octavious’ vault for the first time in
months, Maj. Rana commissioned a special force comprised exclusively of men he
picked, so much so that even I did not have the profiles of men stationed at the Octavious.
The guest list was scrutinized and approved by Maj. Rana himself and further to prevent
any mishap, Maj. Rana was making special rounds every fifteen minutes.

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At about 10:55 p.m. there was some chatter on the intercom about some unidentified men
walking towards the vault, but the Octavious team told us that it was only a few guests
who had lost their way. A few minutes later there was again chatter on the intercom that 4
men with large black bags were seen running to the deck. I immediately climbed one
floor and ran towards the deck where I saw four men in suits throwing bags down from
the ship. Two of them had started climbing down using the ropes, I immediately shouted
and tried to stop them from running but they took one guest as hostage to aid in their
escape. I was able to shoot the thief with the hostage on the leg, run towards him,
overpower him and free the hostage. In the meanwhile, I heard firing and when I turned
and saw what was happening, Maj. Rana had shot the other thief in the head and he was
walking towards me with his gun pointing at the one I was holding down. For a second I
thought he was going to shoot him as well, but I immediately rolled over and shouted that
I had him under my control and that we needed to keep him alive to question him. I don’t
know why Maj. Rana was hell bent on killing all of them. I wonder…!

3. Maj. (Retd) J. S. Rana s/o Mr. Ranjit Singh Rana, aged about 49 years.

I am Monteceito’s Head of Operations (Security) and I take care of the entire security
apparatus of this lovely property. However, today is a somber day and one I would like to
forget as soon as possible.
Michael Barbosa is my Chief Security Officer and he is the person responsible for control
over access to both the Casino’s vaults. The Octavious’ vault is located on the same floor,
while our bigger main vault is located on the first floor. Both these vaults are state of the
art and can be controlled and monitored by a special remote that me, Michael and Ms.
Gujral have. That way, at all times there are at least three people who can immediately
take action if something happens. I don’t know how Michael has let this terrible heist
happen, but I assure you of my full cooperation in this investigation.
Another thing that has been killing me is that I shot at a man today. You know I was in
the Army and we fought wars; wars which required one to make sacrifices, but let me tell
you one thing – witnessing death doesn’t get any easier, doesn’t matter whether you kill
or someone else pulls the trigger. But a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do and that
man was a grave threat and I had to take action. Coming to the one you have in custody -
Bhaskar Sanyal. He used to be an employee of the Monteceito who was hired on
Michael’s recommendation. The bloody scoundrel knew everything about us. I never
liked him and have always had a bad feeling about him. That is why I fired him 3 months
back. I even had to find a flimsy excuse to let him go. Who knew he was plotting this all
along.
I really feel bad for Ms. Shonali, I know she doesn’t like admitting this publically, but
‘Pharaoh’ hasn’t been doing well, and she has been under a lot of pressure lately. Even
for building the Monteceito she picked up considerable money from the market, and those
installments have started piling up…. and now this has happened. Thankfully there is
insurance. Insurance money….. no no, that can’t be, she couldn’t, actually won’t... no
way. Forget I said anything about her troubles. She’s a really nice person.

4. Zareen Malik d/o Sh. Salim Malik, aged about 26 years.

On the fateful night of the 31st, I had come to the Monteceito with my boyfriend, Nitin
Mittal. We came to this place because they were supposed to have the best entertainment
in all of Goa, with exotic dancers from abroad, fireworks, famous singers, DJs and what
not. But to my dismay, instead of attending any one of these spectacular performances,
my boyfriend was more interested in gambling. So after a while I got bored of drinking,
and came to the deck for some fresh air. It was nearing 12’ o clock so I didn’t want to

  15  
stay there for a long period, lest I miss the special moment. But just as I was about to
leave, I saw four men run onto the deck. They were carrying large bags. I became
suspicious as I thought that one of them was holding a gun. They immediately threw the
bags overboard and started to tie two pieces of rope to the railing. At that time I heard
someone running up the stairs. I sensed something was wrong and backed away.
Suddenly I heard a gun shot and one of the men in the suits went down. I ducked for
cover while trying to keep an eye on what was happening. Soon there were three more
shots fired and the second man also went down. I was scared for my life and I ran towards
the opposite direction.

5. Shekhar Subramaniyam s/o Mr. P. S. Subramaniyam, aged about 28 years.

Sometime around 11 o’ clock I was out on the deck for a smoke. When I gamble too
much, I need a drag or two as it helps calm me down. I’ve been trying to quit, but that day
I really needed to light up. I was standing on the deck by the railing, looking at the water
while listening to Led Zeppelin on my iPod. There was hardly anyone there so it was nice
and peaceful and I was standing there mulling over the past 12 months of my life and
visualizing the opportunities and challenges that 2013 would bring.
I saw another man dressed in a suit grappling with the rope. Suddenly there was an
extremely loud shot and the man fell. I saw Maj. Rana standing over his body.
Simultaneously one man got hold of my arm and pulled me towards him. I didn’t know
what was happening, so I turned around to see what his problem was. But instead of
talking, the man hit me on the face multiple times and put me in front of him as if I was a
human shield. I suddenly saw a man who I now know to be Michael standing in front of
us with his gun drawn. As soon as my captor saw him, he had a weird reaction, it was
almost as if he relaxed. I took advantage of this and was able to get away.
Michael rushed towards him and shouted something. I could only catch bits and pieces.
He was saying ‘Don’t worry………..’ and then I heard the words ‘…… won’t kill….’.
Maj. Rana was running towards Michael with his gun pointed at my former captor. After
this I left as soon as I could.
I came to the deck for a smoke that would calm me down, but that one cigarette gave me
the scariest time of my life. I have promised myself that I will quit smoking now, for sure.
Those shots really shook me up and for a little while I couldn’t even piece the sequence
of events together, but I am really proud of the way I held up later. I can now see myself
giving TV interviews, and who knows may be I’ll even write a book someday.

6. Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar s/o Mr. Raj Kumar Sanyal, aged about 32 years.

I do not wish to make a statement at this point. I want my lawyer.

  16  
 ANNEXURE – 8

STATEMENT OF BHASKAR SANYAL @ SARKAR

Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar has since turned state’s evidence and confessed to the crime
before the learned Magistrate. The statement recorded before the Magistrate on 04.02.13
is as follows:

I have been a part of certain criminal activities that have taken place aboard the Aurora,
and at this juncture I have no choice but to plead guilty to all charges, as I fear for my
life. Maj. J.S. Rana has already killed one of our partners and now he is after my life. I
have been receiving threats since the time I have been in custody, and I fear that if I am
not in police custody, he will kill me so that I don’t make any statements against him. He
would have already killed me, had it not been for the CSO who stopped him.
This operation was planned 2 months ago. Maj. Rana was thinking of early retirement,
just like the kind he had taken from the Army. He had approached Brij Gopal @ Babaji
with the idea of robbing the Octavious vault on the 31st night as he knew there would be a
lot of money in the Octavious vault on that night. He was helping plan some sort of
special event. Babaji is my mentor and he has taught me everything I know about the
world of vaults and high security surveillance. He was a master, it was as if he could walk
through walls without a soul coming to know. Perhaps that’s why Maj. Rana had
approached him. I do not know of any safe that Babaji couldn’t devise a way of
breaching, and Maj. Rana had said that the smaller Octavious vault should be child’s play
for Babaji given the right tools.
This was going to be a five man job, with Maj. Rana providing support from the inside.
My, Babaji, Kesu Firangi and Bhiku Matre’s were to be on the guest list, and we were
told that we would have no problem entering the Monteceito. Pappu Chote was supposed
to take us to the Aurora in a motor boat, and wait for us while we robbed the Casino. We
were supposed to rappel down from the deck right into the motor boat and make our exit.
Babaji had told me that we would hit the vault as soon as the security guards would
change as the guards posted post 11:30 pm were supposed to be taken care of. He was
going to keep half of what we stole and the other half was to be divided equally among
us, Babaji was a very fair man that way. Maj. Rana had given us special single seal bags
with trackers so that he would be able to track the money all the time. The special seal
was to ensure that we wouldn’t be able to open the bags without him, as if that could spot
Babaji. But anyway, if that made him feel safe..
Everything went according to plan; the vault had even more money than we could have
hoped for. So much so that we couldn’t even put all of it in the bags. Just as we were
about to rappel down after Kesu and Bhiku, Michael reached the deck. Babaji told me to
grab a hostage while we waited for Maj. Rana to come save us. When Maj. Rana arrived,
I was so happy. I thought we would be saved. But to my utter horror he spoke to Babaji
for two seconds and all of a sudden shot him right in the face. I didn’t know what was
happening and then I realised it was game over for me. Babaji must have told him that if
he didn’t save us, he would reveal his role in the entire operation and Rana shot him to
silence him forever.
Immediately after shooting Babaji he turned on me, but fortunately Michael was over me
and he stopped Maj. Rana from killing me. I now fear from my life.
Read over and accepted.

Sd/- Sd/-
Bhaskar Sanyal CJM, Panaji

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 ANNEXURE – 9

FINAL REPORT
(Under Section 173 Cr.P.C.)

In the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Panaji

1. District: Panaji PS: Division 3

Year: 2013 FIR No. 001 Date: 01.01.2013

2. Chargesheet No. 23/2013 3. Date: 14.03.2013

4. Acts Section(s)
(i) Indian Penal Code, 1860 396/302
(ii) Arms Act, 1959 25, 27

5. Type of Chargesheet:
(i) Chargesheet against
(a) Maj. (Retd) J.S. Rana S/o Mr. Ranjit Singh Rana.

6. Offence as mentioned did occur as per the contents of the FIR.

7. Original Chargesheet, supplementary to follow against the rest of the accused.

8. I.O.: Amir Basheer Rank: SI

9. Complainant: Ms. Shonali Gujral d/o Mr. V.K. Gujral

10. Date of properties/Articles/Documents Recovered/seized during investigation and

relied upon:

Recovered vide Panchnama dated 01.01.2013

o Smith and Wesson custom engraved model 60 .38 revolver– 1
o Standard issue Glock .38 handgun – 2
o Empty shells – 4
o Live Hornady .38 cartridges – 17
o Rope in rolls – 2
o Dead body of Mr. Brij Gopal

11. Particulars of accused persons chargesheeted:

S. No. Name Status of the Accused

Maj. (Retd) J.S. Rana S/o Mr. Ranjit

1. In Custody
Singh Rana

12. Particulars of Accused persons not Chargesheeted:

Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar S/o Mr. Raj

1. In Custody
Kumar Sanyal

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 2. Kesu Firangi PO
3. Bhiku Matre PO
4. Pappu Chote PO

13. FIR is not false.

14. Result of Laboratory Analysis: PMR, MLR and Ballistic Report attached
separately.

15. Brief facts of the Case:

On the night of the 31st, a report was received that guns had been fired aboard the
Aurora and that a possible dacoity had taken place. A team was immediately
dispatched. One person, identified as Brij Gopal @ Babaji had been shot dead,
whereas another identified as Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar, had a bullet injury on the
leg. Based on initial investigations, it was concluded that both these persons
along with three others later named as Kesu Firangi, Bhiku Matre and Pappu
Chote were involved in the dacoity. Various statements recorded, especially that
of Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar, who has confessed to the crime, make the manner in
which the events unfolded absolutely clear.

On that night the Monteceito, in addition to a regular party, was hosting a private
event on the Octavious floor, entry to which was restricted. This tournament
involved a buy-in, so the cash so collected was stowed in the Octavious safe. Maj.
Rana is the Head of Operations (Security), and therefore he has access to the
security equipment including the safe via remote, and is also privy to information
the movement of the guards. He was also in charge of who got entry into the
exclusive Octavious event. Filled with greed, he had hatched a plan along with
Brij Gopal @ Babaji to rob his own Casino. Maj. Rana was instrumental in
getting the names of Brij Gopal @ Babaji, Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar, Kesu
Firangi and Bhiku Matre on the guest list so that they would have access to the
Octavious floor. He was also instrumental in providing assistance to them in
breaking into the safe and getting them a safe escape route. Things got out of
hand when the Casino’s CSO reached the deck while these dacoits were making
their escape and shot Sarkar in the knee after duly firing a warning shot in the
process rescuing a hostage. Various statements and the post mortem report shows
that Maj. Rana on the other hand, without giving any warning killed Brij Gopal @
Babaji by shooting at him from point blank range. It was an execution style
killing that shows that Maj. Rana’s intention was not to catch him, but to silence
him forever, lest he reveals his involvement in the crime. Further, he even tried to
shoot Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar but Michael Barbosa got in the way and stopped
him.

By confessing to the crime Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar is gaining nothing, and as

such his testimony is corroborated by the medical reports as well as the forensic
examination. Further, he has no motive to needlessly implicate Maj. Rana. This
being the position, a clear of commission of unlawful offences under Sections
396/302 of the IPC, and Sections 25, 27 of the Arms Act is made out against Maj.
Rana.

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 Note: A separate chargesheet is being filed against Bhaskar Sanyal @ Sarkar,
Kesu Firangi, Bhiku Matre and Pappu Chote. The later three are untraced at this
juncture and their whereabouts are not known.

16. Refer Notice Served.

17. Dispatched.

Sd/- Sd/-
Station House Officer Investigating Officer

  20  
 ANNEXURE – 10

INTERIM ORDERS

IN THE COURT OF SESSIONS JUDGE, PANAJI

State of Goa
v.
Maj. (Retd) J.S.Rana

S.C. CASE No. 467 of 2013

Present: P.P. for the State

Maj. (Retd.) J.S. Rana accused along with Counsel

Arguments heard. From a perusal of the report under Section 173 of the Code of

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 and accompanying documents, a prima facie case under

Section 396/302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 is disclosed against the accused. Let the

accused be served with charge sheet accordingly.

Announced
Dated: 16.05.2013 Sd/-
Sessions Judge, Panaji

Present: P.P. for the State

Maj. (Retd.) J.S. Rana accused along with Counsel

Charge under Section 396/302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 has been served

upon the accused. The charges have been read over to the accused in simple language in

presence of his counsel. The accused has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Let PW’s

be summoned for 29.05.2013.

Announced
Dated: 16.05.2013 Sd/-
Sessions Judge, Panaji

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