MAPUSA
Fresh questions have emerged in the death of 22-year-old college student Samuel Braganza after the post-mortem examination reportedly revealed that he had sustained a serious injury to his right eye several hours before the fatal gunshot wound that caused his death.
According to sources familiar with the autopsy findings, the post-mortem conducted on Friday evening confirmed that the third-year college student died due to a bullet injury.
However, doctors also noted a swollen right eye accompanied by a fracture, with medical opinion suggesting that the injury was inflicted several hours before the gunshot wound.
The revelation has added a new dimension to the case, which has already sparked widespread public outrage following allegations that the youth was subjected to intense scrutiny after a video purportedly showing him dumping garbage by the roadside went viral on social media.
Sources said the autopsy report indicates that the fatal shot was fired from a small-calibre revolver.
The bullet entered through the right temple and exited from the area behind the left eye, causing catastrophic injuries that resulted in death.
Police have reportedly sent the recovered ballistic evidence for forensic examination to determine the exact weapon used and to establish other technical details surrounding the shooting.
The finding relating to the eye injury is expected to come under close scrutiny as it raises questions about how and where the injury was sustained.
The deceased had reportedly spent more than four hours at the Mapusa police station on the day of the incident after police registered a case against him in connection with the alleged roadside dumping of garbage.
Several citizens have questioned whether the nature of the alleged offence warranted prolonged interrogation and whether all procedures were followed during his detention at the police station.
"The post-mortem findings make it imperative that every aspect of the case is investigated transparently. The circumstances under which the eye injury occurred must be established beyond doubt," said Adv Mahesh Rane, a resident of Mapusa.
Police officials have not yet publicly commented on the autopsy findings. Senior officers are expected to await the results of the ballistic examination and other forensic reports before making any detailed statement on the case.
Meanwhile, the death has triggered widespread debate on social media and among civil society groups, with demands mounting for accountability and a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances that preceded the young student's death.
