The director of the Majestic Pride group, which operates both offshore and onshore casinos in Goa, narrowly avoided injury when two armed attackers opened fire on him outside a hotel in Porvorim, adjacent to Panaji, on Friday evening. The director expressed concern that the assailants had likely monitored his routine.
Srinivas Nayak, the director of the offshore casino Majestic Pride, recounted the incident to The Indian Express, stating, “I typically leave my office after 8 p.m. Last night, as I was about to enter my vehicle, two individuals who had been waiting outside suddenly began shooting at me. I believe they discharged between three to four rounds. Thankfully, my bodyguard returned fire with three shots, which caused the attackers to flee. I managed to quickly get back inside the building.”
He further noted, “It seems they had planned my movements in advance.” Nayak mentioned that he had not encountered any threats previously and was unaware of any rivalries. “I prefer not to speculate about the reasons behind the shooting as it might interfere with the police investigation. I have provided my statement, and the police are currently looking into the matter,” he added.
An FIR filed at the Porvorim police station detailed that two unidentified individuals “openly fired three to four shots at the complainant as he was leaving the hotel to go home.”
According to the FIR, the complainant was unharmed, but the attack constituted an attempted murder, and the assailants fled toward the highway. Given the immediate threat to Nayak’s life, his bodyguard, who was present, fired three rounds in self-defense. The report also noted that the gunfire endangered the lives of hotel guests and staff in the lobby.
The FIR was lodged against the two unknown shooters under Sections 109(1) (attempted murder) and 125 (endangering life or personal safety), in conjunction with Sections 3/5 of the BNS and Section 3 of the Arms Act.
Authorities have reviewed CCTV footage from the scene, which shows the two shooters waiting at the hotel entrance before firing three shots at Nayak. Preliminary investigations suggest that the assailants were not local and may have been hired for the attack.
Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant remarked that this incident marked the first of its kind during his administration. “The police are conducting a thorough investigation. Those responsible will be apprehended promptly. No one will evade justice. The motive behind the attack is under scrutiny,” stated Sawant.
Pavneet Singh Chadha serves as the Goa Correspondent for The Indian Express, where he meticulously covers significant political developments, governance, and key local events, underscoring his deep expertise in the region.
His reporting demonstrates a strong focus on investigative journalism, including extensive coverage of critical incidents such as the Goa nightclub fire, and closely monitoring legal and governmental actions related to significant local issues.
Chadha also provides insights into the judiciary’s role, including the Goa High Court addressing illegal constructions, along with the activities of various government departments.
Follow him on Twitter @pub_neat.
