VASCO: In a shocking incident, three members of a family, including a woman residing near the MES College, Zuarinagar, Vasco, committed suicide allegedly due to police harassment. They were found hanging in a rented room on Tuesday morning.
The victims have been identified as Hulgappa Yamanappa Ambigera (35), his wife Devamma (28) and his brother Gangappa Yamanappa Ambigera (29), all natives of Bijapur-Karnataka and currently residing at Zuarinagar.
The relatives of the deceased have accused Verna Police of harassing the trio in connection with a theft case. The owner of the premises where the family was staying had accused them of stealing gold ornaments from the house and lodged a police complaint. Devamma was working as a domestic maid in the landlord’s house.
According to the relatives, the Vasco Police were calling them to the police station for the last few days and were allegedly harassing them. On Tuesday they were asked to come to the police station for inquiry and fearing further harassment, the trio might have taken extreme step; the relatives said adding that the police were now forcing them to take bodies and hush up the matter.
The relatives have demanded registration of FIR against those involved in abetting the crime and have refused to take bodies.
Earlier, on receiving the information, Mormugao DySP Raju Raut Desai and Verna PI Sheriff Jacques visited the spot and found the trio hanging inside a room. The police conducted the panchanama and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination, which stated that the cause of death was due to hanging.
Verna Police have registered the case under Section 174 CrPC and are conducting investigations.
When contacted, Raut Dessai declined to divulge details of the case stating that he is investigating the matter, while SP South Pankaj Kumar said the case will be thoroughly probed.
