Ragpicker murdered in Fatorda; accused held

MARGAO: The Fatorda  police, on Wednesday, arrested a 38-year-old ragpicker, who is a native of Uttar Pradesh and resident of Margao, for committing murder of another ragpicker,  by smashing his head using a stone while he was having siesta after having a drink.

The murder took place near the KTC bus stand, Fatorda, on Tuesday afternoon, however, the body was found on Wednesday morning.

The police disclosed the name of the accused  as Omprakash  Ganapat Chandra Rai while that of the deceased as Shivappa (39) from Gokak, Karnataka .

South Goa Superintendent of police Arvind Gawas  said that the accused  and deceased  were known to each other and were residing in Margao for some time.

“Some days back, the alleged accused Omprakash had given Rs 50 to the deceased  Shivappa. On Tuesday, both of them met, and so the accused asked the deceased to return his cash of Rs 50, but he did not oblige. He wanted the money  back to have a drink.”

According to the police investigation, the accused at around 1pm  on Tuesday again asked for money,  and again the deceased refused to pay it back. Later, both went to have a siesta after having a drink.

Police inspector Navlesh Dessai said that the accused got up at around 3.45 pm  and in a fit of anger pick up a stone from close-by area  and smashed the deceased’s  head, thereby causing him serious injuries.

Dessai said that the stone used in  committing the murder has been recovered.

He said that on Wednesday morning a bar owner saw the body lying aside, and  informed the police.

The police rushed to the spot, and shifted the body for conducting postmortem at  Hospicio Hospital.

Dessai  said that several ragpickers were interrogated.

CCTV footage revealed that Omprakash  has killed  Shivappa, he said.

The accused was arrested at around 2.30 pm on Wednesday, said the police, adding the accused will be produced before court and remand will be obtained.

The police have registered a case under section 302 of the IPC  against the accused.