MAPUSA
One of the biggest mysteries in the death of 22-year-old Samuel Braganza continues to be the serious injury to his right eye, which forensic findings indicate was sustained several hours before the gunshot wound that ultimately claimed his life.
The question assumes significance because the Mapusa Police have reportedly maintained that officers had no physical contact with Samuel when he was brought to the police station for questioning.
At the same time, family members say they were unaware of any injury to his eye before the tragic incident.
According to the post-mortem examination, Samuel suffered edema (swelling) around the right eye and a fracture of the orbital bone. Medical observations reportedly suggest that the injury occurred several hours before the fatal gunshot, creating a crucial gap in the timeline that police will have to bridge.
If the police version is accepted and the family genuinely had no knowledge of the injury, then police must determine where and under what circumstances the young man sustained such a significant facial injury.
Mapusa-based advocate Mahesh Rane said the forensic findings point to an aspect of the case that requires deeper scrutiny.
“The injury had to occur somewhere. If the family is unaware of it and the police maintain there was no physical contact, then investigators must establish exactly when and where it happened. The post-mortem findings provide an important clue which cannot be ignored,” Rane said.
A former doctor associated with autopsy examinations explained that visible signs of trauma do not always appear immediately.
“Depending on the severity of the blow, swelling and bruising may develop gradually. In many cases, it can take hours before edema becomes noticeable and discolouration appears around the injured area,” the doctor said.
Another aspect that investigators may need to examine is Samuel’s iPhone, which could potentially provide valuable clues regarding his movements, communications and state of mind in the hours leading up to his death.
The inquiry being conducted by Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Karpe is expected to examine all aspects surrounding Samuel’s death, including events leading up to the fatal incident.
While the findings may ultimately provide clarity, the unexplained eye injury has emerged as one of the most significant unresolved aspects of the case.
Until police can establish a clear timeline for when the orbital fracture occurred, the injury is likely to remain a focal point of public interest and speculation.
More importantly, it may hold a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the final hours of Samuel Braganza’s life.
