According to the person accompanying him, Dr. Ketan Bhatikar had stopped at Anmod to relieve himself. While picking up his mobile phone, which had fallen on the ground, he was allegedly bitten by a poisonous snake.
People present immediately tried to stop the spread of venom by tying the affected area. However, his health reportedly worsened within a short time. He was rushed to the Primary Health Centre at Dharbandora, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Dr. Ketan Bhatikar was well known in Goa as a physiotherapist and an active political leader. He was earlier associated with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and had contested the 2022 Assembly election, where he lost by a narrow margin.
Recently, he had joined the Indian National Congress and was announced as the party’s candidate for the bypoll. However, the bypoll was later declared illegal by the Bombay High Court at Goa. Dr. Bhatikar had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, where the matter is still pending.
His sudden death has shocked Goa’s political and social circles. Many people considered him a young and promising leader with a strong connection to the public.
Further details are awaited from the authorities.
