The Forensic Department of the South Goa District Hospital has accused the Forest Department of breach ing the confidentiality of the post-mortem re port in the death case of Home Guard Dinesh Gaude, triggering a fresh controversy over the handling of the sensitive investigation. In a strongly worded written complaint sub mitted to the South Goa Collector, Head of the Forensic Department Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar demanded a detailed inquiry into how con fidential medical doc uments reached social media and questioned the conduct of Forest De partment officials in the matter.
The post-mortem examination of Dinesh Gaude was conducted on May 7, and according to the Forensic Depart ment, the report was officially handed over only to the po lice authorities as part of the ongoing investigation. However, on May 9, screenshots of the post-mortem re port, along with a letter reportedly written by the North Goa (Ponda) Forest Department to the Superintendent of Police, began circulating widely on social media plat forms. The complaint alleged that the Forest Department not only accessed the report but also made “unscientific and inappropriate” observations on the medical findings in its communication to the police. Dr Ghodkirekar stated that under Supreme Court guide lines, a post-mortem report cannot be treated as a public document until the investigation is completed. Against this backdrop, the complaint questioned how the confidential report and related correspondence were leaked into the public domain. The Forensic Department further accused the Forest Department of repeatedly attempting to dismiss claims of attacks by wild animals, alleging that such actions were obstructing the police probe and spreading misleading in formation. Raising serious concerns over the implications of the leak, the complaint pointed out that the deceased belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community and warned that dissem ination of incorrect or speculative information amounted to undermining the rights and dignity of the family. The complaint also expressed suspicion that confusion was being deliberately created to weaken the family’s claim for compensation.
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Seeking strict action against those responsible, Dr Ghod kirekar called for a thorough investigation into the leak and the circumstances under which confidential documents were circulated publicly. Copies of the complaint have been submitted to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and the Goa Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission. The complaint stressed that government officials han dling sensitive death investigations must act with greater responsibility and restraint, particularly when the matter is under active police investigation.
