BY A GT CORRESPONDENT
bureaus@gomantaktimes.com
SHIRODA, MAY 6 2009: "We feel ashamed that we are his parents," said Ramnath Vithu Naik (84) and Indu (82), the parents of Ponda's serial killer, Mahanand Naik.
Ramnath and Indu said, Mahanand and his wife should be punished for his misdeeds.
Mahanand's octogenarian parents spoke to GT when they had come to Tarvalem-Shiroda yesterday afternoon to see their house which was set ablaze recently by angry villagers. They were accompanied by three other sons Narayan, Dayanand, Krishna, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
Mahanand was arrested earlier last month by the Ponda police for allegedly raping his wife's friend, and during his interrogation in police custody revealed that he had murdered four women over the last decade-and-a-half.
"Whatever Mahanand has done is extremely bad. We are unable to face the villagers. We do not want such a criminal for a son," they said.
The aged Naiks used to live in the now gutted house, with three other sons of theirs -- Ramesh, Narayan and Krishna -- living in three other seperate rooms.
The oldest, Dayanand, lived in Ponda while Mahanand had built an independent house elsewhere in the vicinity.
"We would have no complaints if Mahanand's house was burnt. But since everything has been reduced to ashes from our house with neither roof nor walls existing, we are helpless as the monsoon is fast approaching," the aged couple said as, even as they broke down in the presence of their daughters-in-law, Nilima and Shevanti.
They said they were unaware about Mahanand's activities, stressing that he lived in a separate house with his wife in the neighbourhood and hardly had any contact with them.
They nevertheless vouched for his 'normal behaviour' when he lived with them before his marriage nearly 11 years ago.
The aged couple were also angry about the role of Mahanand's wife -- Pooja -- saying she should have brought him under control.
It is learnt that Mahanand's wife Pooja, who is working at Ela Farm, Old Goa took part in folkdances and even taught the art to other girls. She also owned three flats, it is learnt.
It has also come to light that Mahanand, who has studied up to std IX, robbed clothes from neighbours by fishing them out throw the windows with a stick.
Mahanad's aged parents Ramnath Vithu Naik and mother Indu along with one of their sons, daughters-in-law and grand children. GT
