PANJIM: Goa Police, probing the deaths of three tourists in and around the Sunburn Klassique venue, will ask the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to expedite the viscera tests in the case, which would establish the cause of the deaths.
Anjuna Police have sent the viscera samples of the deceased Venkat (26), Sai Prasad (31) and Phanideep Khota (24), all of who died during the three-day event at Vagator, to CFSL Hyderabad soon after the post mortem at Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
“A request will be sent to CFSL Director to examine the exhibits on priority and submit a report at the earliest,” Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh told Herald, on being contacted for a comment on the development of the inquiry.
The senior IPS officer explained that Goa Police chose to send the samples to CFSL Hyderabad, instead of the SFL at Verna, on account of the nature of queries raised by the autopsy surgeon, which can be answered by CFSL only.
The second edition of Sunburn Klassique ran into controversy with the deaths of the three tourists due to suspected drug overdose. The police have, till date, refused to concede on the alleged presence of drugs at the event venue, citing the presence of a huge police force in and around the venue.
The department has also ruled out external pressure in the case, stating that an inquiry is underway as per the law. “The deaths are being investigated under section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Once all the related reports are brought on record, these will be submitted to the executive magistrate. The progress of the inquiry/investigation will proceed accordingly,” an officer said.
The deaths of the tourists, who reportedly visited Goa, specially to attend the EDM, has caused a stir with the opposition and NGOs demanding the sacking of Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and banning such festivals in the State, which dent Goa’s image.
