Statements of personnel attached to Mapusa Police Station recorded
MAPUSA
The departmental inquiry into the death of 22-year-old Samuel Braganza is increasingly focusing on allegations of mental harassment, the role of social media platforms and the circumstances surrounding the filming and circulation of the video that triggered a public controversy days before the youth allegedly died by suicide.
Superintendent of Police (North) Vishwesh Karpe, who has been entrusted with conducting the inquiry, has already commenced the investigation and is understood to have recorded statements of police personnel attached to the Mapusa Police Station who were involved in the registration of an FIR against Samuel for allegedly dumping garbage in a public place.
Sources familiar with the inquiry said the investigation is being carried out primarily on the basis of the complaint submitted by Samuel's mother, who has sought a probe into the events leading up to her son's death, including the alleged harassment he faced after a video purportedly showing him dumping garbage went viral on social media.
As part of the inquiry, the statement of the individual who recorded the original video has also been taken. Investigators are reportedly examining the circumstances under which the footage was filmed, circulated and amplified across various social media platforms.
Sources indicated that representatives of the social media platforms named in the complaint may also be contacted during the course of the inquiry to ascertain the extent of dissemination of the video and whether any online abuse, trolling or targeted harassment may have contributed to the youth's mental distress.
Officials familiar with the proceedings said that, so far, no evidence suggesting procedural lapses by the Mapusa Police has emerged from the statements recorded.
Preliminary indications are that the police personnel involved in registering the FIR had followed the prescribed legal procedure, although the final conclusions will be drawn only after the inquiry is completed.
The inquiry is also not presently focused on allegations of physical assault, sources said, pointing out that the complaint filed by the deceased's mother primarily sought an investigation into issues relating to harassment and the events that may have driven Samuel to take the extreme step.
Police are, however, expected to continue gathering material evidence and recording additional statements before finalising the report.
The inquiry officer is also likely to visit the family residence and record statements of family members to obtain a complete account of the events preceding Samuel's death.
While the report is expected to be submitted to senior authorities in the coming days, its findings are unlikely to be made public as it is an internal departmental inquiry.
The death of Samuel, a resident of Gaunsawada, Mapusa, has sparked widespread public concern and triggered demands from various sections of society for a transparent examination of the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
