7 Years and 5 Months Since Start, Irish Girl Danielle McLaughlin's Rape & Murder Trial; Closing Towards Closure.
"Final Arguments", where both Prosecution and Defense would rest their case, with their respective final arguments to begin at 1000hrs on 12-12.
The trial of Danielle McLaughlin's Rape and Murder, is finally inching closer towards closure.
Danielle, 28 Year Old Irish and British Citizen was brutally raped and then murdered, on Holi eve on 14th March 2017; by accused Vikat Bhagat at Palolem in South Goa.
The trial started on 4th of July 2017; and was supposed to first end on 17th July 2024; was extended till 17th October 2024, and the new deadline is 17th February 2025. However it seems, it shall end way before it.
Its been 7 Years and 9 Months since the death of Danielle McLaughlin and the Case is still lingering on; despite various promises made by Government of Goa; and several representations made by both Irish and British Diplomats to Chief Minister and Head of Prosecution of the state.
Vikat Bhagat is no ordinary accused. He had a very violent criminal history which was known to Goa Police as a trouble-maker and history-sheeter; having been apprehended in cases of Theft & Robbery earlier,before the Rape & Murder of Danielle McLaughlin.
There have been other Crimes of his which has been discussed online on Facebook Groups, by many Foreign Tourists (one is presented below); which includes grave assault.
Only, if Goa Police would have sent him for long sentence in earlier cases; Danielle would have been alive and happy now. But then...
The recording of the statement of the accused, Vikat Bhagat was delayed, as Defense filed an application for re-examining and recording the Statement of PW43, after recording the statements of all witnesses in the case; which was granted by Judge; finally started on 5th November 2024.
It took exactly one month to record the Statement of accused.
Once he was not produced due to shortage of Escort at Central Jail Colvale and another time; an email was sent by Jailor (who has been very helpful to the accused) to Trial Court that, accused is sick and hence can neither be produced physically or on VC (Without producing any Medical Certificate to that regards to Trial Judge).
This is despite the instructions of Trial Judge to Goa Police Jailor, that accused be produced on every Hearing, in a previous hearing.
The Final Arguments, would start at 1000 hrs on 12-12-2024; where both Prosecution and Defense would put their final arguments and rest their case(s). It is expected to last, for a few Hearings; after which Court would work on Judgement and pronouncement of Punishment.
Since, the extension provided to Trial Court is till 17th February 2025; it is hoped that, Judgement would come before 4th of February 2025; which is Birthday of Danielle.
Today is also, "Human Rights Day" and thus we must reflect on the plight of all those in World and in India; seeking and fighting for their basic moral rights; not only articulated in UN Human Rights Charter; but also enshrined and guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
The process of seeking Justice is an arduous and long process in India and every single Indian is well aware of this fact.
With the Trial, comes its tribulations; trials extending to decades; seeker of Justice has no other way to trot around.
For a Foreigner, seeking Justice in India is far more traumatising; first the rustic and antique justice systems is no way near to that of their own country, wholly unfamiliar territory; and then a very costly affair over the years; with what we have seen not only in the Trial of Danielle McLaughlin but also in the Trial of Murder of Finnish Citizen Felix Dahl, who was murdered in South Goa at Patnem in 2015.
Today, We hope that no one else has to suffer for Years and Years seeking Justice for their loved and near-and-dear ones who were snatched from them in most brutal manner, for no fault of theirs.
Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.
We are all aware about the long duration of trials in Goa and I suppose in India. We have well educated advocates and judges and therefore I wonder why it seems to be beyond them to change the process of managing cases so that results are quick. It seems to me that the courts are too lenient about postponements.