MAPUSA
The mysterious death of a former driver of a former Karnataka minister at a resort in Calangute has left investigators grappling with more questions than answers after a post-mortem examination failed to establish the cause of death, prompting doctors to preserve viscera samples for forensic analysis.
The deceased, identified as Sandeep Salaim Malpe (45) of Malpe in Karnataka's Udupi district, had earlier served as a driver to a former Karnataka minister before venturing into the water sports business, operating tourist boats along the Malpe coast.
The investigation has now centred around a woman who had checked into the resort with Malpe but quietly walked out hours before his body was discovered. Police are yet to trace her and believe her statement could be crucial in reconstructing the events leading to his death.
Malpe's gold chain is also reported to be missing.
The incident came to light at around 10 pm on Tuesday when the resort management alerted Calangute police after Malpe was found lying motionless inside his room. Police rushed to the spot, conducted a panchanama and shifted the body to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, for post-mortem examination.
The autopsy conducted on Wednesday, however, failed to reveal the exact cause of death. Doctors have preserved the viscera for forensic analysis, leaving police to await scientific evidence before ruling out any possibility, including poisoning or the presence of intoxicating substances.
According to police, Malpe had travelled to Goa with his brothers and friends from Udupi on a holiday. The group visited a casino on June 29 before arriving in Calangute the following morning.
While Malpe checked into a resort with the woman at around 11.30 am on Tuesday, his brothers and friends stayed at another hotel nearby.
Police investigations have revealed that the woman left the resort at around 4 pm the same day. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
By around 6 pm, Malpe's family members and friends became concerned after repeated phone calls to him went unanswered. They rushed to the resort and requested permission to meet him in his room but were reportedly denied access by the management.
Hours later, after they again approached the resort expressing serious concern over his continued silence, the room was opened. Malpe was found lying unconscious inside. He was declared dead, and police were informed.
During the spot inspection, police recovered liquor bottles and cigarette packets from the room. Preliminary inquiries indicate that Malpe had consumed a substantial quantity of alcohol during his visit to a casino and later at the resort. However, police have not established whether alcohol had any role in his death.
