Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Sarpanch of Merces, Prakash Naik, allegedly shot himself dead with his licensed gun on Friday morning, leaving everyone, including his family members, shocked. The 45-year-old was a sitting panch and has allegedly left behind a suicide note blaming two persons for taking the extreme step.
Sources said Naik, who had been upset for the last couple of days, shot himself on his head at around 10.30am at his house in Merces. “As the family members heard the loud noise from a room, they rushed to find out what happened and saw him lying down with a bullet injury on his head. He was rushed to Goa Medical College but doctors pronounced him brought dead,” said a local, close to the Naik family.
The suicide has been registered as an unnatural death. Police sources said all those connected with the case will be summoned for questioning. “We are investigating the case from all angles and anyone connected with the matter will be questioned,” a senior officer told Herald.
While the exact reason for the suicide is yet to be ascertained, sources said he was in debt and he was allegedly being harassed for failing to repay the amount in time.
Naik’s mobile phone will be sent for forensic examination, police said, adding that a post mortem on the body of the 45-year-old is expected on Saturday. The gun, he purportedly used to shoot himself, was a licensed one. He had purchased the weapon in 2018.
Goa Forward Party has demanded an impartial and transparent probe in the case. “The Chief Minister should ensure the investigation is impartial and transparent. I have also spoken to (acting) Director General of Police and the North Superintendent of Police. They are upright officers and I am sure there will not be any political interference in the case. We will personally monitor the manner in which probe is taking place,” GFP vice president Durgadas Kamat said, addressing a press conference at the party office in Panjim on Friday.
