MARGAO: Arguments in the infamous murder and rape of the Irish girl Danielle McLaughin commenced on Monday, with Public Prosecutor C Costa arguing that the accused Vikat Bhagat be charged for murder, rape, robbery and destruction of evidence.
Relying on statements of Vikat’s three friends, Rajesh Komarpant, Rupesh Komarpant and Sakil Komarpant, he pointed out that while all were together from 1 pm till 9:30 pm on March 13 to celebrate holi, the three left leaving the accused alone with the victim.
He also pointed out that the victim’s bag and clothes were found as per the statement by the accused, hidden in a mango grove. The bloodied clothes of the accused were found in the storeroom of his house on March 14, also proves that the accused was close to the victim.
The public prosecutor also relied upon the dried blood stains found on the scooter that was used by the accused, which was recovered from Vikat’s house at the instance of his mother.
However, the clinching evidence of the involvement of the accused was found in the autopsy and forensic report, which establishes that Vikat had not only raped the Irish girl, but also choked her to death, after which he smashed her head and face.
The vaginal swab proved penetration, thus establishing rape, argued Costa, pointing that the presence of the accused’s blood on the clothes of the victim established that he had killed her.
He also pointed out that the accused, when arrested, had bruise marks, indicating that he was involved in a scuffle.
Referring to the fact that the victim’s bag was found at the instance of the accused, he said Vikat should also be charged for robbery, as he took away the girl’s belongings and further argued that he should also be charged for attempting to destroy evidence, as he had tried to hide the victim’s clothes and bag.
Meanwhile, Vikat’s mother today moved an application seeking discharge of the Activa scooter that has been seized by the police. The matter is now fixed for December 6 for defence arguments and prosecution’s say on the application to return the scooter.
