Team Herald
PANJIM: Fast tracking the investigation into the death of convict Mahadev Gaonkar in Aguada Jail, the Inquiry Commission recently held a weeklong session to record statements of those acquainted with the matter.
A notification issued by the Department of Law and Judiciary had invited persons with knowledge of the matter to depose in the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge. In July 2015, the government had appointed a Commission of Inquiry for an impartial probe into the suspected food poisoning and death of the prisoner in the jail on May 31, 2013.
In February 2014, the Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) had pulled up the government agencies for neglecting timely treatment to Gaonkar, who was due for release in 2013-end. It had observed that prisoner was denied medical aid from 6.45 am to 10.40 am on May 31, 2013, and despite his condition being critical, jail officials delayed taking him to Candolim Primary Health Centre. He died 35 minutes later.
The report of a mmagisterial inquiry instituted soon after the incident had held Jailor Vithal Gawas and other officials’ on duty responsible for the prisoner’s death and pointed out to unhygienic conditions of the jail, including the kitchen.
