Post-mortem reveals fatal head injuries
VASCO
The mysterious death of a fishing boat owner whose body was found floating in the Zuari River has taken a serious turn, with Agacaim Police registering a murder case following post-mortem findings that indicated fatal head injuries.
The deceased, identified as Manjunath Harikant, had been operating a small fishing boat from Kharewada for several years. Police had initially registered a case of unnatural death after his body was recovered from the river and subsequently sent it for post-mortem examination. However, the medical report reportedly revealed head injuries, prompting investigators to treat the case as one of murder.
Sources at the Kharewado jetty said Harikant, a bachelor, was living alone in a rented room near the Kharewada jetty. Originally from Karnataka, he had spent several years earning his livelihood through traditional fishing activities in the area.
According to sources, Harikant had earlier owned two fishing boats but sold one of them to meet expenses related to his sister’s marriage. He thereafter continued operating a single boat and regularly ventured into nearby waters for fishing with the help of hired labourers. His daily routine reportedly involved leaving for fishing trips at around 4 am, returning in the morning, and selling the catch in the local market.
Members of the fishing community had earlier expressed suspicion over the circumstances surrounding his death and alleged that foul play could not be ruled out. Following the post-mortem findings, those suspicions have gained further strength.
Sources indicated that investigators could examine whether robbery could have been the motive behind the killing.
Since Harikant lived alone, he reportedly avoided keeping large amounts of money in his rented room and instead carried cash with him most of the time. As a boat owner involved in daily fish sales, he was often in possession of substantial cash, making him a potential target for criminals.
Sources also claimed that Harikant frequently hired migrant labourers on a temporary basis for fishing operations and police are expected to examine all possible leads, including persons who were in contact with him before his death.
