Ponda: The Goa Forest Department has urged the police to investigate the “suspicious” death of a man whose death was initially attributed to a bison attack in Ponda town earlier this week, officials said on Sunday.
State Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane told reporters on Sunday that his department has asked Police to inquire into the incident after certain suspicious findings were noted during the probe by his department. He said that “nothing can be ruled out.”
In a communication to the Superintendent of Police, South Goa, the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests raised several doubts over the circumstances surrounding the death of Dinesh Gaude (48), a Home Guard jawan from Bethoda village.
Gaude had died on May 7, and it was initially claimed that he was attacked by a wild bison near a forested patch.
However, the Forest Department, after examining the incident spot and post-mortem findings, said several inconsistencies have emerged which warrant a detailed police probe.
The department pointed out that no hoof marks, dung, hair or other signs indicating the movement of a gaur (Indian bison) were found at the spot. It also noted that the injury pattern mentioned in the post-mortem report did not match the nature of injuries usually caused in bison attacks.
According to the communication, the post-mortem report mentioned a single penetrating wound measuring around 7 cm near the buttock/perineal region, apart from a superficial abrasion on the neck.
Forest officials said the blunt-surface injury and absence of multiple trauma marks cast doubt on the theory of a bison attack.
The department also questioned the version of eyewitnesses, claiming there were contradictions in statements recorded by police and forest officials.
One witness reportedly told forest officials that he had not actually seen the animal, despite earlier claims suggesting otherwise.
The Forest Department further said the incident occurred around 6.15 pm, when visibility was still adequate, making it difficult to explain why no one clearly identified the animal.
Officials also raised suspicion over the victim’s movement to the isolated spot, noting that there was access to a wine shop from the highway side and no apparent reason for him to use the forested route.
The department has urged police to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident and verify all aspects surrounding Gaude’s death.
