CANACONA: In less than 24 hours, Canacona police have managed to get their hands on the accused involved in the murder of Irish national Danielle McLaughlin.
The Canacona police, under guidance of DySP Sammy Tavares have arrested a man with a criminal record from Canacona, Vikat Baghat on Tuesday. Police claimed that Bhagat confessed to committing the murder of the 28-year-old Irish woman.
The unclothed body of the foreign national was found in the fields of Devbagh, Canacona at around 8 am on Tuesday. The FRRO was informed about the woman’s murder so that they could contact the Irish Embassy to inform the family of the same.
As reported, McLaughlin had arrived in Goa on February 23, 2017 and had stayed at Arambol, Pernem and she had left for Canacona last Sunday and had checked into a hotel at Agonda along with her British friend.
After staying overnight at the hotel, on March 13, she left for Palolem. Herald learnt that Danielle called from a friend’s mobile to a local friend whom she had met during her last trip to Goa. So when her friend came to know about Danielle’s unfortunate death, she contacted the police. However, the authorities failed to confirm the information.
According to local sources, Baghat and Danielle were seen at a beach joint, at the southern side of the Palolem beach where Holi festivities were going on. Both were seen consuming beer most of the time. Danielle and Bhagat bought two beer bottles at a bar on their way to Palolem and at about 9.30 pm even had an altercation with the bar owner before they left on a scooter.
The people who were at the party, clicked photos and the same were uploaded on social media. Herald during its investigation also came across a Facebook account at around 10 pm on Tuesday, of a particular foreigner a “professional photographer” (name withheld) where at least 24 photos of the said party were uploaded. Later, all photos on the Facebook page had been deleted.
Police on Tuesday rounded up many suspects and claim that during interrogation, Bhagat confessed to killing Danielle. The accused has been placed under police custody after obtaining remand from JFMC, Canacona.
In another important find, an ‘Activa’ scooter, belonging to the accused having “blood” stains has been attached and also the clothes of the accused with blood stains found at his residence at Char Rasta, Canacona, have been attached.
The accused who sustained injuries to his face and other parts of his body, was sent for medical examination at GMC, Bambolim. The bag pack of the deceased and clothes with blood stains have been recovered by the police from a field close to the accused’s house. Police have also attached the video footage near a restaurant at Ovrem, Palolem, where the accused and the deceased were seen together.
Statements of witnesses have been recorded by Canacona police. The post-mortem is still being awaited as GMC dean has been moved to form a panel of doctors of forensic department to perform autopsy on the body and to preserve nail clippings, blood for blood grouping and DNA purpose.
A request has also been made to the forensic doctors to examine the body to check for any sexual assaults.
Meanwhile, around 200 foreigners and locals gathered at the crime scene to conduct a prayer cum vigil at 5.30 pm on Wednesday. The speakers sang the famous song “No woman, no cry”.
ALSO READ: https://heraldgoa.in/Goa/Irish-woman-found-murdered-at-Devbagh/112711.html
