MARGAO
In a tragic incident highlighting lapses in law enforcement, 42-year-old Rajesh Nagesh Nistani of Amblimol-Guirdolim was fatally gored by a bull during a bullfight at Majorda on Monday morning.
The Colva police have registered an FIR against four individuals under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The incident occurred during a bullfight between two bulls ‘Chando’ and ‘Godfather’. Police said ‘Chando’ became aggressive, broke into the public area, and gored Nistani, who sustained grievous injuries and later succumbed while undergoing treatment at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao. While some reports mentioned minor injuries to a few spectators, the FIR did not list them.
The accused named in the FIR are Santano Cardozo (43) of Curtorim, Joaquim Pereira (48) of Majorda, Raymond of Betalbatim (currently in the US), Ravi of Betalbatim (currently in the US), and Rui Menezes of Curtorim.
According to the police, the bullfight took place between 10.30 am and 11.30 am in Ultima Parte, Majorda. Despite being fully aware of a Bombay High Court order prohibiting bull fights, and directives issued by the South Goa District Magistrate to register FIRs against organizers, owners, and landowners involved in such events, the accused went ahead with the event.
“The accused persons, despite knowing the risk to human life, organized the bull fight without proper care or precautions,” police said, adding that the act could have caused serious injuries or death to members of the public.
The Colva police are continuing their investigation. Notably, just two days prior, a FIR had been registered against unknown individuals for organizing another bull fight within the jurisdiction.
