the goan I network
CANACONA
Canacona PI Philomeno Costa said, “Though we have not completed the investigation, we do not suggest
the involvement of more than one accused. Viket Bhagat’s accomplices were investigated from all angles and we could not link them to the rape and murder, except for their
presence during some drinking sessions,” PI Costa told The Goan.
“Different people may have different perceptions and theories, but as an investigating team, we probed all these leads and angles and found no substance in the claims.”
A source in the investigation team revealed that the accused and some accomplices had been present along with the accused during some drinking sessions.
“But finally, only the accused and deceased proceeded on a bike after purchasing two beer cans from a liquor shop at Palolem. If there were more than one accused, they would have bought more beer cans for the way,” said the source.
“During interrogations, the accused had named one of his accomplices as having hit the woman with a beer bottle, but police investigations did not corroborate this claim. The accused is known to constantly change his versions and is reportedly naming his accomplices to weaken the case.”
“The police is taking a cautious path, as involving more accused in the case without proper evidence would only weaken the case and allow the accused to get away,” the source added.
Another police source discounted the theory that there was no tussle between the accused and the victim before she was killed. “If that was the case, how did Bhagat sustain as many as six injuries, including an injury to his private area,” asked the second police source.
While the source claims that the involvement of more people to the crime would be known once the forensic report is made available.
Swabs of victim, accused to be sent to Hyderabad, informs PI
CANACONA: Important materials including the swabs of the rape and murder victim Danielle McLaughlin and accused Viket Bhagat will be further analyzed at a Hyderabad laboratory.
According to Canacona PI Philomeno Costa, the important materials collected from the victim during her autopsy conducted by a panel of doctors at GMC need to be analyzed using advanced technology.
“All the materials thus collected (of both the victim and the accused) have to be properly documented and it will be sent to Hyderabad laboratory for advanced analysis by Monday or Tuesday,” informed PI Costa.
IThe accused is likely to be produced in the JMFC, Canacona, on Tuesday, after his second police remand of 6 days gets over on Monday. The accused will be completing 13 days of police remand.
