SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Two young men were found dead in an apartment at Aquem-Margao on Wednesday evening, while their mother was found unconscious.
The bodies were found in a flat on the third floor of Paradise apartment.
Authorities identified the deceased as brothers Mohamed Juber Khan, 29, and Affan Khan, 27. Their mother, Ruksana Khan, 54, was transferred to the South Goa District Hospital in Margao for medical attention.
Margao police revealed that the trio had been residing in the flat, owned by them, for over 20 years. The boys’ father does not reside with them, according to police statements. Both deceased young men were well-educated, as per police records. Margao police are perplexed about the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Authorities speculated that it might be due to starvation, as no food or water was found in the apartment. The exact cause of death will be determined following a postmortem examination.
Despite their long-term residence in the area, neighbours mentioned that the Khan family had minimal contact with them. Additionally, there were reportedly frequent altercations within the flat. News of the tragic incident drew a large crowd of locals to the building.
Police Sub-Inspector Nilesh Shirvoikar of Margao police station received a distress call on Wednesday evening from the father of the deceased, who informed them that the flat was locked from the inside, and despite knocking and calling their mobile phones, he had received no response from any of the occupants. Shirvoiker, accompanied by a police team, attempted to gain entry but was unsuccessful. He then sought assistance from the Margao fire station, and together, they accessed the premises. Inside, they found the two young men deceased, while their mother lay a short distance away, unconscious but exhibiting signs of movement.
Subsequently, an ambulance was summoned, and the deceased were transported to the morgue at the South Goa District Hospital, while Ruksana was admitted to the female ward for treatment.
Although her condition is reportedly stable, she has yet to provide a statement to the police.
Police have conducted an initial investigation and documented the scene. Sources within the Margao police station revealed that the father of the deceased had not been in Goa for an extended period. He had attempted to enter the flat on two occasions but found it locked, raising his suspicions and prompting him to contact the police.
The police authorities have refrained from registering a case of unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC, stating that further investigation is being carried out. The investigation has enlisted the support of the dog squad, fingerprint experts, and forensic teams. Statements from the father of the deceased brothers are yet to be recorded.
Margao DySP Salim Shaikh said that it was a family of four persons while, the couple had strained relations and the husband Nazir Khan, a businessman, was staying separately at Khareband, Margao.
A peculiar detail uncovered during the investigation was the family's apparent attempt to barricade the premises from within. They had reportedly latched the door shut and placed a sofa against it to prevent entry from the outside. Additionally, the post letter box was found closed and locked.
Shaik stated that Nazir Khan is being regarded as an informant in the case, and his statement will be pivotal for the investigation. The incident has been registered as an unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC, pending further inquiries.
Police reported that the mother and two sons allegedly prevented Nazir Khan from entering their flat in Aquem. One of the deceased, Juber Khan, was an engineer, said the police.
Describing the family as religiously convicted, a senior police officer said the statement of the mother, Ruksana Khan, is expected to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of her two sons. No suicide note was found at the spot.
