Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 13 (ANI): In a major breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh, operating out of the Ayodhya field unit, apprehended a key hitman involved in the high-profile Goa hotel shooting right before he could flee across the border to Nepal. 

The accused, identified as Babu, son of Nisar, was intercepted and arrested near the Risia Mode Park Bridge in Bahraich, UP, at 5:39 PM on September 12.

The violent episode unfolded on August 28, 2026, inside the Hotel Neo Majestic located in Porvorim, Bardez district, Goa. Babu, along with his associate, launched an audacious multi-round gun attack targeting Sri Nivas Nayak. 

Following the shooting, Porvorim Police registered Case No. 66/2026 under Sections 109(1, 125) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) alongside Sections 3 and 27 of the Arms Act.

During interrogation, Babu confessed to his entry into the underworld through jail contacts. In 2014, Babu's brother was incarcerated at Taloja Jail over an elopement case. While visiting his brother, Babu met a hardened criminal known as 'Anna'. 

After his release in 2024, Anna set up a juice and Vada Pav stall in Goa. In January 2026, Babu moved to Goa on his brother's advice to work alongside Anna.  Anna procured three pistols, handed one to Babu, and offered him 5 lakh to execute a high-profile hit on Sri Nivas Nayak. 

Driven by greed, Babu joined Anna in firing multiple rounds at Nayak inside the hotel. Post-shooting, Babu handed the weapon back to Anna and fled to Mumbai to stay with his brother before hiding out in Bahraich. Tracking Babu's movements, Goa Crime Branch sought the assistance of UP STF under Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramesh Kumar Shukla. 

A joint team comprising Sub-Inspector Sourab Mishra, Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Tiwari, Chief Constables Santosh Singh, Neeraj Singh, and Mahesh Kumar Pandey from UP STF, along with Inspector Mangesh Valvaikar's team from Goa Crime Branch, tracked down the suspect in Bahraich. 

Learning that Babu was attempting to slip across the international border into Nepal, the combined force executed a swift tactical operation to subdue and arrest him. Babu has been formally handed over to the Goa Police for further legal proceedings. (ANI)