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Tag: Sonali Phogat

  • Sonali Phogat death case: Family members receive two letters from anonymous sender

    By ANI

    HISAR (Haryana): Family members of deceased actor and BJP leader Sonali Phogat have received two letters from an anonymous sender.

    Sonali’s brother-in-law Aman Poonia has stated that both letters should be investigated as they hold important information regarding the case.

    In the first letter, it was stated that a deal of Rs 10 crore was made in the murder case. In the other letter, the names of political leaders have been mentioned.

    Aman further stated that one letter was received one month ago, while the other one was received some days later.

    Aman also informed that Sonali’s sister Rukesh will contest the election from Adampur.

    “Sonali’s sister Rukesh will contest the election from Adampur. We have no link with Aam Aadmi Party,” said Aman.

    “We are already in Bhartiya Janata Party. We will discuss it with people and then take a decision,” he added.

    Earlier, Sonali Phogat’s brother accused BJP leader Kuldeep Bishnoi of murdering his sister.

    The revelation was made by Rinku at Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat which was held in Hisar.

    The Khap spokesperson Sandeep Bharti, while talking to ANI, said that after allegations by Sonali’s family members, Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat has decided that Kuldeep Bishnoi should explain his stand before Mahapanchayat. 

    HISAR (Haryana): Family members of deceased actor and BJP leader Sonali Phogat have received two letters from an anonymous sender.

    Sonali’s brother-in-law Aman Poonia has stated that both letters should be investigated as they hold important information regarding the case.

    In the first letter, it was stated that a deal of Rs 10 crore was made in the murder case. In the other letter, the names of political leaders have been mentioned.

    Aman further stated that one letter was received one month ago, while the other one was received some days later.

    Aman also informed that Sonali’s sister Rukesh will contest the election from Adampur.

    “Sonali’s sister Rukesh will contest the election from Adampur. We have no link with Aam Aadmi Party,” said Aman.

    “We are already in Bhartiya Janata Party. We will discuss it with people and then take a decision,” he added.

    Earlier, Sonali Phogat’s brother accused BJP leader Kuldeep Bishnoi of murdering his sister.

    The revelation was made by Rinku at Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat which was held in Hisar.

    The Khap spokesperson Sandeep Bharti, while talking to ANI, said that after allegations by Sonali’s family members, Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat has decided that Kuldeep Bishnoi should explain his stand before Mahapanchayat. 

  • CBI team visits Goa hotel where Sonali Phogat had stayed

    By PTI

    PANAJI: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday visited the hotel at Anjuna in North Goa district where BJP leader Sonali Phogat was staying at the time of her death last month.

    A senior Goa police officer said the process of transfer of the investigation into the Phogat death case to the CBI was almost over.

    The CBI team which arrived in Goa on Friday has been visiting all the places related to Phogat’s death, he said.

    On Saturday, the team inspected the rooms at the hotel in Anjuna where both Phogat and her associates — now arrested for their alleged role in her death — were staying, the official said.

    “The team was at the hotel for the entire day and they also questioned several staff members,” he said.

    Police have arrested five people including Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh in connection with the case. Both had travelled to Goa with Phogat, a former TikTok star.

    PANAJI: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday visited the hotel at Anjuna in North Goa district where BJP leader Sonali Phogat was staying at the time of her death last month.

    A senior Goa police officer said the process of transfer of the investigation into the Phogat death case to the CBI was almost over.

    The CBI team which arrived in Goa on Friday has been visiting all the places related to Phogat’s death, he said.

    On Saturday, the team inspected the rooms at the hotel in Anjuna where both Phogat and her associates — now arrested for their alleged role in her death — were staying, the official said.

    “The team was at the hotel for the entire day and they also questioned several staff members,” he said.

    Police have arrested five people including Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh in connection with the case. Both had travelled to Goa with Phogat, a former TikTok star.

  • Supreme Court stays ongoing demolition of Goa’s Curlies restaurant

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the demolition of a restaurant at Anjuna in North Goa which was in the news recently following the death of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, after its counsel claimed the relevant regulations were not applicable as the building was in existence prior to 1991.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and justices S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha heard the matter on an urgent basis after the counsel for the restaurant owner claimed the demolition was already underway while he was arguing the case.

    “Considering the fact that the impugned order was passed on September 06, 2022 and the fact that the demolition has been going on, we have taken this matter on Board and heard learned counsel,” the bench said.

    Senior lawyer Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for restaurant owner Linet Nunes, referred to certain documents to submit that “the structure in Survey No.42/10 was in existence prior to the year 1991” and it cannot be punished for the violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

    He said that only “Survey No.42/10 belongs” to Nunes and other structures do not belong to him. “Consistent with the statement made by the learned senior Advocate on behalf of the appellant, structures in existence in lands other than Survey No. 42/10, are not covered by the width of this Order. Resultantly, if there be any unauthorized construction in lands other than Survey No. 42/10, the demolition can certainly go on. (b) There shall be a stay of demolition with respect to structures standing on Survey No. 42/10 subject to the appellant not undertaking any commercial activity in or with respect to said structure,” it said.

    Passing an order, the bench asked the counsel for the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to convey the order to the authorities instantly for compliance.

    The bench asked the restaurant and bar owner of ‘Curlies’ restaurant to suspend commercial activities for the time being.

    The Goa government on Friday morning began demolishing the restaurant for alleged violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

    Meanwhile, the demolition of parts of Curlies Restaurant resumed Friday afternoon following a brief halt due to a Supreme Court order.

    The apex court earlier in the day stayed the demolition so the action was halted for a few hours, but the order was limited to only the part of the restaurant standing on a particular survey number, said a senior official of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) in Panaji.

    Phogat was found partying at the outlet hours before her death. Its owner Edwin Nunes was among five persons arrested in the Phogat death case and he was later granted bail.

    The action against the restaurant was initiated after its owner failed to get any respite from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the 2016 demolition order of the GCZMA.

    The case was heard on September 6 by the NGT bench chaired by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel. The bench had upheld the order of GCZMA disposing of the petition filed by the restaurant management.

    On Thursday, the district administration had issued a notice asking its demolition squad to raze the structure on Friday.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the demolition of a restaurant at Anjuna in North Goa which was in the news recently following the death of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, after its counsel claimed the relevant regulations were not applicable as the building was in existence prior to 1991.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and justices S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha heard the matter on an urgent basis after the counsel for the restaurant owner claimed the demolition was already underway while he was arguing the case.

    “Considering the fact that the impugned order was passed on September 06, 2022 and the fact that the demolition has been going on, we have taken this matter on Board and heard learned counsel,” the bench said.

    Senior lawyer Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for restaurant owner Linet Nunes, referred to certain documents to submit that “the structure in Survey No.42/10 was in existence prior to the year 1991” and it cannot be punished for the violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

    He said that only “Survey No.42/10 belongs” to Nunes and other structures do not belong to him. “Consistent with the statement made by the learned senior Advocate on behalf of the appellant, structures in existence in lands other than Survey No. 42/10, are not covered by the width of this Order. Resultantly, if there be any unauthorized construction in lands other than Survey No. 42/10, the demolition can certainly go on. (b) There shall be a stay of demolition with respect to structures standing on Survey No. 42/10 subject to the appellant not undertaking any commercial activity in or with respect to said structure,” it said.

    Passing an order, the bench asked the counsel for the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority to convey the order to the authorities instantly for compliance.

    The bench asked the restaurant and bar owner of ‘Curlies’ restaurant to suspend commercial activities for the time being.

    The Goa government on Friday morning began demolishing the restaurant for alleged violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

    Meanwhile, the demolition of parts of Curlies Restaurant resumed Friday afternoon following a brief halt due to a Supreme Court order.

    The apex court earlier in the day stayed the demolition so the action was halted for a few hours, but the order was limited to only the part of the restaurant standing on a particular survey number, said a senior official of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) in Panaji.

    Phogat was found partying at the outlet hours before her death. Its owner Edwin Nunes was among five persons arrested in the Phogat death case and he was later granted bail.

    The action against the restaurant was initiated after its owner failed to get any respite from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the 2016 demolition order of the GCZMA.

    The case was heard on September 6 by the NGT bench chaired by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel. The bench had upheld the order of GCZMA disposing of the petition filed by the restaurant management.

    On Thursday, the district administration had issued a notice asking its demolition squad to raze the structure on Friday.

  • Goa’s Curlies restaurant linked to Sonali Phogat’s death to be demolished soon over green rules violation

    By ANI

    PANAJI: The ‘Curlies’ restaurant in Goa where actor and BJP leader Sonali Phogat was allegedly drugged will be demolished soon for violating coastal zone norms.

    The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday upheld the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s previous order to demolish the shack.

    Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has ordered the closure of all commercial activity in the form of nightclubs, bars and restaurants being run by Edwin Nunes and Linet Nunes, both Curlies Restaurant and Night Club and guest house, St Michael Wado, Dando, Anjuna, Bardez-Goa.

    Earlier on Thursday, a local court granted conditional bail to owner of Curlies restaurant Edwin Nunes against a personal bail bond of Rs 30,000 and two sureties of Rs 15,000 each.

    Advocate Kamalakant Poulekar, lawyer of Edwin Nunes said Nunes cannot visit Curlies and needs to take permission before leaving Goa.

    Meeanwhile, the Goa Police on Sunday visited various locations in the alleged murder case of BJP politician Sonali Phogat in Haryana’s Hisar district.

    “Teams went to various places, as per allegations levelled by the late actor’s brother Rinku including property and other issues. Our team is going to all those places, speaking with local witnesses and trying to get information which may help us reach a conclusion,” informed Goa Director General of Police Jaspal Singh.

    Sonali Phogat was declared dead at the St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa on August 23. A post-mortem report revealed blunt force injury on her body, following which the Goa Police registered a murder case.

    On Friday, Goa Police visited Phogat’s Sant Nagar residence in Haryana’s Hisar district and seized three diaries. Sonali’s bedroom, wardrobe, and password-protected locker were inspected by the police search team. The police also sealed the locker at Sonali Phogat’s residence. Phogat’s PA and his associate were arrested after police accessed the CCTV footage in which the trio were seen partying at a club.

    Expressing dissatisfaction over the probe by the Goa Police into the death case of Sonali Phogat, her family will approach the Goa High Court demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter.

    Sonali Phogat’s family had met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in connection with the case and had demanded a CBI probe. The Chief Minister had assured of the CBI investigation. However, being dissatisfied with the ongoing investigation, the family has decided to go to Goa High Court with their demand.

    Speaking to ANI, Vikas Singh, Sonali Phogat’s nephew, who is also an advocate in his family said that they have written to Chief Justice of India UU Lalit for a CBI inquiry, and will approach the Goa High Court with a writ petition by Friday if they are not satisfied with the answer of the top court.

    Earlier, Goa Police had said that Sonali Phogat was forcibly drugged by her two associates who were arrested after being named as accused in the case.

    Haryana Police detained a man after the family accused him of taking a laptop and mobile from the farmhouse of the deceased BJP leader. Haryana Police has recovered the items following which the questioning is underway.

    Sonali Phogat who rose to fame with her TikTok videos, contested the 2019 Haryana election as a BJP candidate but lost to then Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi (he has since joined the BJP). She also appeared in the reality show Bigg Boss in 2020. 

    PANAJI: The ‘Curlies’ restaurant in Goa where actor and BJP leader Sonali Phogat was allegedly drugged will be demolished soon for violating coastal zone norms.

    The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday upheld the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s previous order to demolish the shack.

    Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has ordered the closure of all commercial activity in the form of nightclubs, bars and restaurants being run by Edwin Nunes and Linet Nunes, both Curlies Restaurant and Night Club and guest house, St Michael Wado, Dando, Anjuna, Bardez-Goa.

    Earlier on Thursday, a local court granted conditional bail to owner of Curlies restaurant Edwin Nunes against a personal bail bond of Rs 30,000 and two sureties of Rs 15,000 each.

    Advocate Kamalakant Poulekar, lawyer of Edwin Nunes said Nunes cannot visit Curlies and needs to take permission before leaving Goa.

    Meeanwhile, the Goa Police on Sunday visited various locations in the alleged murder case of BJP politician Sonali Phogat in Haryana’s Hisar district.

    “Teams went to various places, as per allegations levelled by the late actor’s brother Rinku including property and other issues. Our team is going to all those places, speaking with local witnesses and trying to get information which may help us reach a conclusion,” informed Goa Director General of Police Jaspal Singh.

    Sonali Phogat was declared dead at the St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa on August 23. A post-mortem report revealed blunt force injury on her body, following which the Goa Police registered a murder case.

    On Friday, Goa Police visited Phogat’s Sant Nagar residence in Haryana’s Hisar district and seized three diaries. Sonali’s bedroom, wardrobe, and password-protected locker were inspected by the police search team. The police also sealed the locker at Sonali Phogat’s residence. Phogat’s PA and his associate were arrested after police accessed the CCTV footage in which the trio were seen partying at a club.

    Expressing dissatisfaction over the probe by the Goa Police into the death case of Sonali Phogat, her family will approach the Goa High Court demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter.

    Sonali Phogat’s family had met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in connection with the case and had demanded a CBI probe. The Chief Minister had assured of the CBI investigation. However, being dissatisfied with the ongoing investigation, the family has decided to go to Goa High Court with their demand.

    Speaking to ANI, Vikas Singh, Sonali Phogat’s nephew, who is also an advocate in his family said that they have written to Chief Justice of India UU Lalit for a CBI inquiry, and will approach the Goa High Court with a writ petition by Friday if they are not satisfied with the answer of the top court.

    Earlier, Goa Police had said that Sonali Phogat was forcibly drugged by her two associates who were arrested after being named as accused in the case.

    Haryana Police detained a man after the family accused him of taking a laptop and mobile from the farmhouse of the deceased BJP leader. Haryana Police has recovered the items following which the questioning is underway.

    Sonali Phogat who rose to fame with her TikTok videos, contested the 2019 Haryana election as a BJP candidate but lost to then Congress leader Kuldeep Bishnoi (he has since joined the BJP). She also appeared in the reality show Bigg Boss in 2020. 

  • Sonali Phogat death: Goa minister says everything happening in state shouldn’t be linked to tourism

    By PTI

    PANAJI: Against the backdrop of BJP leader Sonali Phogat’s death in Goa, state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday said everything happening in the coastal state should not be linked to tourism.

    Talking to reporters in Panaji, Khaunte also expressed concern over the drug menace and said they want tourists to act responsibly in the beach state.

    Phogat (43), a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, died in Goa last month. The state police have arrested five people and booked two of them on charges of murder.

    Khaunte said, “The incident like the death of Sonali Phogat should not be linked to the tourism industry and its prospects.”The police department is investigating Phogat’s death. Let the investigation reveal the truth behind her death,” he said. Every time something happens in Goa, it is being linked to the tourism industry, he said.

    “Drugs is a serious concern and the state government is strictly working to check the menace,” he said adding that “we cannot connect everything to tourism.”

    Tourism is the backbone of Goa, he said. “We want tourists to come and enjoy in the state but act responsibly,” the minister said.

    The Goa government is working to ensure tourism in the state moves in the right direction.

    PANAJI: Against the backdrop of BJP leader Sonali Phogat’s death in Goa, state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday said everything happening in the coastal state should not be linked to tourism.

    Talking to reporters in Panaji, Khaunte also expressed concern over the drug menace and said they want tourists to act responsibly in the beach state.

    Phogat (43), a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, died in Goa last month. The state police have arrested five people and booked two of them on charges of murder.

    Khaunte said, “The incident like the death of Sonali Phogat should not be linked to the tourism industry and its prospects.”The police department is investigating Phogat’s death. Let the investigation reveal the truth behind her death,” he said. Every time something happens in Goa, it is being linked to the tourism industry, he said.

    “Drugs is a serious concern and the state government is strictly working to check the menace,” he said adding that “we cannot connect everything to tourism.”

    Tourism is the backbone of Goa, he said. “We want tourists to come and enjoy in the state but act responsibly,” the minister said.

    The Goa government is working to ensure tourism in the state moves in the right direction.

  • Haryana Police visits Sonali Phogat’s farmhouse in Hisar to investigate theft complaint

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Police on Tuesday visited the farmhouse of BJP leader Sonali Phogat to probe a complaint of theft lodged by her family members.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star from Hisar in Haryana and a contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, was brought dead to a hospital in north Goa on August 23, a day after arriving in the coastal state with two of her male companions.

    Her family alleged that a laptop, digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras and some documents were stolen from the farmhouse recently, police said.

    They claimed that Shivam, an aide of the BJP leader’s associate Sudhir Sangwan, had taken these things from the farmhouse after the news of her death on August 23.

    The family also met Hisar’s Superintendent of Police Lokender Singh and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

    “A theft case was registered on their complaint a few days ago. We have assured them of a thorough investigation in the case is on,” Singh told reporters in Hisar on Tuesday.

    When asked what was the complaint, Singh said, “It has been stated that at the behest of one of her associates, his subordinate Shivam, who worked as an accountant, stole some documents, a laptop and other articles from the farmhouse”.

    A Hisar police official also visited the farmhouse in connection with the investigations in the case.

    While Phogat’s family has raised suspicion of foul play in her death, her teenage daughter Yashodhara reiterated their demand of a CBI probe into the incident.

    “We want a CBI probe. We want justice,” she said.

    The Goa Police have so far arrested five persons, including two of Phogat’s associates, in connection with the case.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said in Panaji the investigation into the case would now be conducted by a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer.

    The probe into the case was earlier conducted by a police inspector-level officer.

    Haryana’s Home Minister Anil Vij had on Monday said the state government has written to the Goa government requesting it to recommend a CBI probe into the death of the BJP leader.

    The move came after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance to Phogat’s family members who met him at his residence here on Saturday evening and sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into her death.

    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Police on Tuesday visited the farmhouse of BJP leader Sonali Phogat to probe a complaint of theft lodged by her family members.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star from Hisar in Haryana and a contestant on the reality TV show “Big Boss”, was brought dead to a hospital in north Goa on August 23, a day after arriving in the coastal state with two of her male companions.

    Her family alleged that a laptop, digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras and some documents were stolen from the farmhouse recently, police said.

    They claimed that Shivam, an aide of the BJP leader’s associate Sudhir Sangwan, had taken these things from the farmhouse after the news of her death on August 23.

    The family also met Hisar’s Superintendent of Police Lokender Singh and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

    “A theft case was registered on their complaint a few days ago. We have assured them of a thorough investigation in the case is on,” Singh told reporters in Hisar on Tuesday.

    When asked what was the complaint, Singh said, “It has been stated that at the behest of one of her associates, his subordinate Shivam, who worked as an accountant, stole some documents, a laptop and other articles from the farmhouse”.

    A Hisar police official also visited the farmhouse in connection with the investigations in the case.

    While Phogat’s family has raised suspicion of foul play in her death, her teenage daughter Yashodhara reiterated their demand of a CBI probe into the incident.

    “We want a CBI probe. We want justice,” she said.

    The Goa Police have so far arrested five persons, including two of Phogat’s associates, in connection with the case.

    Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said in Panaji the investigation into the case would now be conducted by a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer.

    The probe into the case was earlier conducted by a police inspector-level officer.

    Haryana’s Home Minister Anil Vij had on Monday said the state government has written to the Goa government requesting it to recommend a CBI probe into the death of the BJP leader.

    The move came after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave an assurance to Phogat’s family members who met him at his residence here on Saturday evening and sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into her death.

  • Sonali Phogat case: Goa police arrest one more drug peddler

    By PTI

    PANAJI: The Goa Police have arrested one more drug peddler in connection with the case of alleged murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, an official said on Sunday.

    With this, five people have so far been arrested in the case.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality show “Big Boss”, died on August 23, a day after arrival in Goa.

    On Saturday night, the Anjuna police in North Goa district arrested drug peddler Rama alias Ramadas Mandrekar for allegedly supplying drugs to another peddler Dattaprasad Gaonkar, who is already in custody in connection with the case, the official said.

    Gaonkar had allegedly supplied drugs to two other accused Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, who accompanied Phogat on the Goa trip, police earlier said.

    PANAJI: The Goa Police have arrested one more drug peddler in connection with the case of alleged murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, an official said on Sunday.

    With this, five people have so far been arrested in the case.

    Phogat, a former Tik Tok star and contestant on the reality show “Big Boss”, died on August 23, a day after arrival in Goa.

    On Saturday night, the Anjuna police in North Goa district arrested drug peddler Rama alias Ramadas Mandrekar for allegedly supplying drugs to another peddler Dattaprasad Gaonkar, who is already in custody in connection with the case, the official said.

    Gaonkar had allegedly supplied drugs to two other accused Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, who accompanied Phogat on the Goa trip, police earlier said.

  • Sonali Phogat was administered methamphetamine drugs by accused: Goa police 

    Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said leftovers from the drugs which were given to her at Curlies Restaurant at Anjuna have been seized from the restaurant's washroom.

  • Sonali Phogat death case: Goa police arrest drug peddler, Curlies restaurant owner

    By PTI

    PANAJI: The Goa Police on Saturday arrested a North Goa restaurant owner and a peddler, who had allegedly supplied drugs to the two accused held earlier in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sonali Phogat murder case, a senior officer said.

    With the fresh arrests, the number of persons in police custody so far rose to four.

    The drug peddler, Dattaprasad Gaonkar, and Edwin Nunes, who owns Curlies restaurant where Phogat had partied before her death, were detained from Anjuna on Saturday morning.

    They were arrested in the afternoon, the officer said.

    Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, arrested earlier in the case, had “confessed” in their statement that they had procured drugs from Gaonkar, the officer said.

    Gaonkar and Nunes have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said.

    Prima facie, Gaonkar sold drugs to Sagwan and Singh who made the victim consume them while partying.

    Nunes is held as the incident occurred on the premises of his restaurant.

    The police on Friday said Sagwan and Singh allegedly mixed some “obnoxious substance” in water and forced Phogat to drink it while partying at Curlies restaurant on the intervening night of August 22 and 23, adding they have been charged with murder.

    The 42-year-old popular TikTok star was brought dead to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa district on August 23 morning from her hotel.

    A court in Goa on Saturday remanded Sagwan and Singh in police custody for ten days.

    Nunes had confirmed to PTI earlier that Phogat had come to his restaurant like any other customer.

    He, however, didn’t meet Phogat and the restaurant staff treated her like any other patron, Nunes had said.

    Police had said that the motive behind the alleged murder of Phogat could be “economic interest”.

    ALSO READ | Aly Goni says Sonali Phogat messaged him two days before her demise, shares emotional video

    PANAJI: The Goa Police on Saturday arrested a North Goa restaurant owner and a peddler, who had allegedly supplied drugs to the two accused held earlier in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sonali Phogat murder case, a senior officer said.

    With the fresh arrests, the number of persons in police custody so far rose to four.

    The drug peddler, Dattaprasad Gaonkar, and Edwin Nunes, who owns Curlies restaurant where Phogat had partied before her death, were detained from Anjuna on Saturday morning.

    They were arrested in the afternoon, the officer said.

    Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, arrested earlier in the case, had “confessed” in their statement that they had procured drugs from Gaonkar, the officer said.

    Gaonkar and Nunes have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said.

    Prima facie, Gaonkar sold drugs to Sagwan and Singh who made the victim consume them while partying.

    Nunes is held as the incident occurred on the premises of his restaurant.

    The police on Friday said Sagwan and Singh allegedly mixed some “obnoxious substance” in water and forced Phogat to drink it while partying at Curlies restaurant on the intervening night of August 22 and 23, adding they have been charged with murder.

    The 42-year-old popular TikTok star was brought dead to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa district on August 23 morning from her hotel.

    A court in Goa on Saturday remanded Sagwan and Singh in police custody for ten days.

    Nunes had confirmed to PTI earlier that Phogat had come to his restaurant like any other customer.

    He, however, didn’t meet Phogat and the restaurant staff treated her like any other patron, Nunes had said.

    Police had said that the motive behind the alleged murder of Phogat could be “economic interest”.

    ALSO READ | Aly Goni says Sonali Phogat messaged him two days before her demise, shares emotional video

  • BJP leader Sonali Phogat’s last rites held in Haryana

    By PTI

    HISAR: The last rites of Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat, who died under mysterious circumstances in Goa, were held here on Friday even as a large number of people turned up to pay their last respects.

    Phogat’s teenage daughter Yashodhara lit the funeral pyre as she and the other family members bade her a tearful adieu at the cremation ground in Rishi Nagar.

    Phogat, who started her career as a news anchor, later found fame on video hosting platform TikTok and also acted in a few movies.

    On Thursday evening, her body was brought to her farmhouse here from Goa to enable people pay their tributes. Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, the BJP MLA from Hisar, and another party leader Kuldeep Bishnoi were present.

    On August 23 morning, Phogat was rushed to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa, where she was declared dead. Her husband, too, had died under mysterious circumstances a few years ago.

    Though initially, it was assumed that she may have died due to a heart attack, a post-mortem report mentioned that there were “multiple blunt force injuries” on her body, prompting the Goa Police to press charges of murder against two of her associates Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Wasi.

    Her brother Rinku Dhaka had filed a complaint against the two men at Anjuna Police Station on Wednesday.

    On Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said his government will consider handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the Phogat family wanted so.

    On Friday, Kuldeep Bishnoi said he had spoken to the chief minister and urged him for a CBI inquiry.

    HISAR: The last rites of Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat, who died under mysterious circumstances in Goa, were held here on Friday even as a large number of people turned up to pay their last respects.

    Phogat’s teenage daughter Yashodhara lit the funeral pyre as she and the other family members bade her a tearful adieu at the cremation ground in Rishi Nagar.

    Phogat, who started her career as a news anchor, later found fame on video hosting platform TikTok and also acted in a few movies.

    On Thursday evening, her body was brought to her farmhouse here from Goa to enable people pay their tributes. Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, the BJP MLA from Hisar, and another party leader Kuldeep Bishnoi were present.

    On August 23 morning, Phogat was rushed to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna in North Goa, where she was declared dead. Her husband, too, had died under mysterious circumstances a few years ago.

    Though initially, it was assumed that she may have died due to a heart attack, a post-mortem report mentioned that there were “multiple blunt force injuries” on her body, prompting the Goa Police to press charges of murder against two of her associates Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Wasi.

    Her brother Rinku Dhaka had filed a complaint against the two men at Anjuna Police Station on Wednesday.

    On Thursday, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said his government will consider handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the Phogat family wanted so.

    On Friday, Kuldeep Bishnoi said he had spoken to the chief minister and urged him for a CBI inquiry.