CANACONA
Canacona police had recommended the externment of Bhagat from Canacona taluka on grounds of being a danger to society on two occasions, once in July 2016 and then, five months later.
Those who know Bhagat in Bhagatwada-Canacona would readily confirm that he has been a constant troublemaker and danger to society, with as many as 20 cases against him, including 7 chapter cases, ever since he was 15 years.
With a number of cases booked against him, Canacona police within a gap of six months had submitted two reports to the District Magistrate (South) seeking his ‘externment’ from the locality, for being a danger to society.
“Considering public concerns over the behaviour of Bhagat, which matched with multiple offences registered against him, police had filed the first report seeking his externment from Canacona taluka in July 2016. When he continued with his serious anti-social activities, a supplementary report was filed before the District Magistrate in December 2016, said Quepem DySP & SDPO Sammy Tavares.
However, no action was taken by authorities in the matter, enabling Bhagat to move freely in Canacona taluka.
According to police records, Bhagat was first booked for a burglary in 2008, when he was barely 15 years old. Later in 2010, he was booked on charges of stealing goods worth Rs 1 lakh from an Israeli tourist.
In 2012, he was arrested for a burglary in his locality and was also part of a dacoity, when he and other accused robbed labourers at a construction site. Two years later, Bhagat was booked in connection with two robberies and he was also linked to three more robberies in 2015.
In 2016, he was booked for two robberies, including a theft at the Canacona Post Office. Shortly before his arrest in the murder of McLaughlin, he was arrested and put in lockup in connection with an assault earlier this year.
Asked if the murder of McLaughlin could have been averted had authorities acted on either of the two reports, DySP Tavares replied: “See, there is a procedure to follow (for externment) and every action has to be followed only after proper evaluation, which normally takes time.”
“But this time, the murder case against Bhagat is very strong and police will ensure that he gets maximum punishment,” said DySP Tavares.
