A Goa court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of Vikat Bhagat, accused of murdering Irish traveller Danielle McLaughlin after befriending her during her holidays in 2017.
Danielle McLaughlin, 28, hailed from Donegal in Northwest Ireland. (Photo Courtesy- www.irishmirror)
Bhagat, who was 24 at the time of murder, cited slow pace of trial in the case, which has been delayed further due to the pandemic, to seek bail. The trial is set to resume on July 14, but is expected to face further delays.
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Advocate Vikram Varma, who is representing the family of the victim, said the bail plea was firmly opposed by the family and the prosecution.
Danielle’s mother Andrea Brannigan had earlier said that if allowed to walk out on bail, Bhagat may disappear making her wait for justice even longer.
“I was so anxious and scared he would get bail today. I have been waiting for justice since the 14th of March 2017, even though I was promised it would be fast tracked. It is causing me great anxiety and worry,” Brannigan said.
McLaughlin, 28, who hailed from Donegal in Northwest Ireland, visited Goa in 2017 with a friend and celebrated Holi in coastal Canacona village, known for its popular beach Palolem. She was befriended by Bhagat during the trip and murdered on March 14 after the two spent an evening together. Danielle was reportedly attacked with a stone and was found lying in a pool of blood without clothes with injuries to her head and face.
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A post-mortem concluded that McLaughlin died due to brain damage and constriction of the neck.
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A post-mortem concluded that McLaughlin died due to brain damage and constriction of the neck.
Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.
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