Panaji: In a major breakthrough, Goa Police have apprehended the prime accused in a brutal double murder case reported in Saligao, following a coordinated inter-state operation.
The accused, Jagannath Bhagat, a native of Chhattisgarh, had fled Goa after allegedly murdering Richard D’mello and Abhishek Gupta in November 2025. The crime came to light on November 6, 2025, after complainant George Noronha discovered the bodies in a pool of blood at his rented premises in Muddawado, Saligao, and alerted police.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both victims were attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, suffering fatal injuries to the neck and other parts of the body. A case was registered at Saligao Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Following the incident, the accused went absconding, prompting an extensive manhunt across multiple states including Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi, and Mumbai. Despite initial challenges, sustained technical surveillance and intelligence inputs helped trace his movement to Cuttack.
Acting on credible leads, a Goa Police team, with assistance from Odisha Police, conducted targeted raids and successfully apprehended the accused.
Investigations have revealed that the accused had been brought to Goa in October 2025 by the deceased after responding to an online job advertisement. He was residing in shared accommodation arranged by the complainant. Police said disputes over unpaid salary, food expenses, and poor living conditions allegedly led to rising tensions, which culminated in the double murder.
The accused has since been brought back to Goa for further legal proceedings.
Police officials stated that the successful operation underscores their commitment and coordinated efforts in tracking down absconding criminals, even across state boundaries.
