Forensic Team to Investigate Car in Connection with Loutolim Death Case

LOUTOLIM: A forensic team is set to examine a car seized in Belagavi following the suspension of three police officers linked to the Loutolim death case. Director General of Police Jaspal Singh announced on Friday that the vehicle had been transported to Goa for investigation.

“The forensic team will investigate the car to determine the injury marks on the body of the laborer who was crushed to death at Loutolim,” stated Singh. The medical report has been submitted, and appropriate action will follow based on the injuries observed, Singh added.

On June 25 at 1:45 AM, Maina Curtorim police discovered the body of Kanhaiya Mandal, a 32-year-old native of Bihar residing in Ponda, Warkhande, by the roadside in Loutolim. Initially, the police filed a hit-and-run case. However, a post-mortem revealed a sharp weapon cut on Mandal’s neck, suggesting murder.

Further investigation led to the suspension of three police officers from the Ponda police station: Head Constable Ravindra Naik, Ashwin Sawant, and Pritesh Prabhu. The officers, who work with SPCR Panaji and Ponda, were implicated in detaining Mandal on June 24 following a community complaint about his disruptive behavior. They reportedly held him for nearly an hour before leaving him outside the Ponda police station’s jurisdiction in Loutolim without proper protocol.

Disciplinary actions are expected against the suspended officers as the investigation continues.