PANJIM: South Goa Superintendent of Police Chandan Choudhary has asked Sub Divisional Police Officer Sammy Tavares to re-look into the rape and murder case of Irish national Danielle MacLaughlin, following startling revelations by accused Vikat Bhagat through a letter written to his sister. Herald is in possession of the letter and has reported extensively quoting extracts of the letter, where Bhagat says that three others killed McLaughlin.
“I already asked SDPO Quepem to personally relook in the matter and submit the report,” Choudhary said. She said that the three suspects named in the letter had been arrested under Section 41 of the CrPC and been thoroughly interrogated.
“He is involved in various crimes since his teens. Now he will cook up all kinds of stories. We have conducted the investigation very thoroughly and so far no clue whatsoever of any other involvement has come forth,” Choudhary stated.
She further stated that the nail marks on Bhagat’s body and face were ascertained by doctors at GMC and confirmed that the nail marks belonged to the girl only.
Choudhary said that evidence of the presence of three persons, as alleged by Bhagat, was also not found at the spot. “In fact CDR analysis was also done, their presence does not show,” she stated.
She said that a day prior to the incident they all were seen together, but after 9pm only Bhagat and the Irish woman were seen together, and no other friends were in the picture.
“I mean he is just cooking up these stories. It is a sensitive case, having international ramifications, so it has been thoroughly investigated under close supervision of the SDPO and we were monitoring the case on a daily basis. There is no truth in that, we don’t have reason to believe a history sheeter,” the SP said.
She said that the surgery on Bhagat’s left arm and dislocation of his shoulder do not reflect in the medical examination conducted.
Bhagat, who is in judicial lockup at Colvale has written to his sister claiming his innocence and alleging that three others killed McLaughlin. He added that he had revealed this to Canacona Police but it was not taken on record.
