A sessions court in Goa has sentenced Vikat Bhagat to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a British-Irish national, whose body was found near a beach in Goa in 2017.
Following the sentencing, Investigating Officer Inspector Filomeno Costa reflected on the case, stating, “The main part of the investigation was that we cordoned off the area and called the forensic team and we collected scientific evidence…we had many challenges. As the investigating officer, I was present in court at every hearing…today the court has given its verdict and the accused has been sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Advocate Vikram Varma, who represented the victim’s family, commended the police for their efforts in handling the case.
He also emphasized the impact of law enforcement on tourism, stating, “…If the police in any country try to protect criminals, tourism will suffer. But here the police have done a very good job in showing that if a crime takes place, they will take action.”
Bhagat was convicted of multiple charges, including murder, rape, robbery, and destruction of evidence. The victim was discovered in an isolated field in Canacona, Goa, in 2017.