MAPUSA
The circumstances surrounding the death of 22-year-old college student Samuel Braganza have come under increasing scrutiny, with Goa Police now examining the manner in which a minor garbage disposal incident escalated into a criminal case and, ultimately, a tragedy that has shaken Mapusa.
The case has drawn fresh attention after Samuel's family alleged that he was subjected to immense mental stress following the registration of an FIR by the Mapusa Police and the circulation of a viral social media video purportedly showing him dumping garbage by the roadside.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Karpe visited the Mapusa Police Station and reviewed the sequence of events leading up to the registration of the case.
CCTV footage from the police station and documents connected to the matter have reportedly been taken for examination, while police personnel involved in handling the case have been asked to explain the procedures followed.
The inquiry follows a complaint filed by Samuel's mother, Genevieve Braganza, who has sought action against the police officials concerned as well as the individual who recorded and circulated the video.
In her complaint, she alleged that her son was pushed into severe emotional distress by the public humiliation arising from the viral video and the subsequent police action.
According to the complaint, the controversy began after a dispute over the disposal of cardboard waste.
Genevieve has alleged that an unidentified person recorded a video of Samuel and circulated it on social media, resulting in widespread public attention.
She further claimed that on June 4, the Mapusa Police registered a criminal case without adequately verifying the facts and summoned Samuel and his family to the police station, where they allegedly remained for several hours.
The family's allegations have triggered wider debate over whether the response to what was essentially a civic violation was proportionate and whether adequate sensitivity was exercised while dealing with a young student with no known criminal background.
Samuel allegedly died by suicide in the early hours of Friday after reportedly struggling with the fallout from the incident. His death has sparked public outrage, candlelight protests and demands for accountability from both civic and police authorities.
While the inquiry continues, police are also expected to examine several unanswered questions surrounding the case, including the circumstances that led to injuries reportedly found near Samuel's eye and how he gained access to the firearm allegedly used in the incident.
