PANAJI
Unlike the suspected drug overdose and murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, an investigation into a similar death of a teenager from Puducherry could face a major setback. Uncooperative witnesses and the family’s reluctance to go ahead with the probe have purportedly put a spoke in the wheel.
The 21-year-old college student, who arrived with his group of friends during the long Independence Day weekend, died in mysterious circumstances after attending a series of late-night parties in the coastal belt on August 16.
Incidentally, both drug overdose cases of the teen and Phogat occurred within a span of one week. But while Phogat's case has managed to garner national headlines owing to her association with the ruling party and family pressure seeking a murder probe, there’s no such progress in the second case.
“The deceased’s friends refused to open up before the Saligao police. Our investigating officers made several attempts to get more clues that could take the probe to a logical conclusion but in vain. Moreover, the family is not keen to proceed with the probe,” a senior officer at the Panaji police headquarters told The Goan.
The police have sent his viscera samples to Verna State Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical analysis, which will give clarity to the case.
Sources said the deceased’s friends and family could be quizzed again if the forensic report confirms a drug overdose. The report is however not expected anytime soon.
The victim along with his four friends arrived in Goa on August 12 and was joined by another friend on August 13. They had checked in to a hotel at Anjuna. On the fateful night, the victim went on a party spree in Calangute, Anjuna, and Saligao after their dinner.
It was at Saligao that he complained of uneasiness after which his friends rushed him to a private hospital in Anjuna. The doctors sought the presence of their hotel owner, who suspected drug overdose.
The victim died during treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital and a case of unnatural death was registered at Saligao police station.
