PANAJI
In a bizarre turn of events, a man who claimed to have been a victim of stabbing by an unknown assailant in the heart of the capital city had actually self-inflicted with a paper cutter. On Friday, Deepak Pramal, a native of Rajasthan, initially reported the incident as a violent attack by a stranger but Panaji Police’s investigation revealed that he fabricated the story.
According to the police, Pramal had been struggling with a range of personal and financial issues. The injury was minor and did not even qualify as a medico-legal case even though the incident put local police in a tizzy given that the “incident” occurred in broad daylight.
The police on screening through the CCTV cameras installed in commercial premises opposite the victim’s shop did not find any person entering or exiting the place on the day of the crime.
“When the matter was reported to the police, we rushed him to the GMC from where he was sent back after being treated for a cut on his neck. Simultaneously we examined the CCTV footage but it did not show anyone in or around his premises during the time when he claimed he was stabbed. It was only him at the shop,” a police official said.
It is however not known if the police will register an offense against him for faking the incident or refer him for counseling.
“The man runs a shop selling beauty and salon products. He reportedly wants to return to his home State but his family is opposed to it. Moreover, he has been in a financial crisis and is unable to pay even the shop rent. His act was apparently due to these issues,” the official said adding, “However such an act is not in good taste. Fortunately, it is a simple injury.”
