Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant revealed that Ramkumar Ramjilal Rawat, 22, from Bayana-Kishoregarh in Madhya Pradesh, confessed to murdering 57-year-old Ubaldina Braganca at an under-construction house in Paroda. During interrogation, Rawat admitted to striking Braganca on the head with an iron rod and later strangling her with a wire, causing fatal injuries.
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Rawat also confessed to removing Braganca’s gold chain before fleeing the scene through the back door. The police are actively working to recover the chain and the murder weapon. SP Sawant confirmed that both the head injuries and strangulation marks identified during the post-mortem were consistent with a violent death.
The investigation revealed that Rawat had called Braganca on the morning of the murder, luring her to the location where he had planned the crime. It was further discovered that Rawat had been employed at the site by contractor Gopal Rawant, who is a native of Shivpur, Madhya Pradesh. However, tenant verification for Rawat had not been conducted, and neither the contractor nor the house owner had informed the police about his employment.
Rawat reportedly arrived in Goa on September 19, 2024. Following the crime, he fled to Madhya Pradesh. Using electronic surveillance, police traced his movements and, with assistance from Sabalgarh Police, apprehended him in Morena. Rawat was brought back to Quepem for further investigation.
SP Sawant confirmed that Rawat’s escape was captured on CCTV footage and stated that the police will ensure thorough action in the case. Meanwhile, she urged contractors and house owners to adhere to tenant verification procedures to prevent such incidents in the future.
