Panaji, Aug 25 (IANS) Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala’s disappearance after jumping bail cannot be blamed on police, Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik, whose son was alleged to be linked to the drug trade, said Wednesday.
‘It’s not a failure of the police, we had not kept him under surveillance. There are so many cases and so many accused on bail, we cannot go on keeping watch on everyone,’ Naik said.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Naik said that he had not ordered an inquiry into Atala’s jumping bail, hinting that the drug mafia case was a result of media hype.
‘I have not even ordered a formal enquiry. He (Atala) has gone. He will come back,’ Naik said, adding that the drug dealer jumping bail was not because of a police lapse.
Naik also said that the opposition was raising the drug mafia case only because it gave them publicity in the media.
Atala, was arrested in March for his links to the police-politician-drug mafia nexus. Seven policemen have already been arrested in the case. Atala was granted bail in June.
He was last seen at the resort he was residing in July 9, according to police.
Naik’s son Roy was allegedly linked to the mafia by Lucky Farmhouse, a Swedish model and Atala’s ex-girlfriend. Both Naik and his son have denied the allegation.
