n a coordinated inter-state operation, Goa Police have arrested the prime accused in a double murder case reported from Saligao in November 2025. The accused, identified as Jagannath Bhagat, was apprehended in Odisha after remaining absconding for several months.
The case was registered following a complaint by George Noronha, a resident of Muddawado, Saligao. He reported that between the late hours of November 5 and the morning of November 6, 2025, two persons—Richard D’mello and Abhishek Gupta—were found murdered inside a rented house in Saligao.
Preliminary investigation indicated that both victims were attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, sustaining fatal injuries to the neck and other parts of the body. The bodies were discovered in a pool of blood on November 6 by the complainant, who alerted the police. Investigators later established that the accused had fled Goa on the morning of the crime.
Saligao Police registered Crime No. 38/2025 under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Multi-state search and technical tracking
Given the gravity of the offence, police launched an extensive investigation involving technical surveillance and intelligence gathering. Multiple teams from North Goa tracked the accused across Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi and Mumbai based on leads from associates and technical analysis.
Despite initial setbacks, a coordinated effort involving the Crime Branch, Saligao Police Station, Porvorim Police Station, Cyber Police Station and PRISM unit helped generate actionable leads. The accused’s movement was eventually traced to Cuttack in Odisha.
Acting on these inputs, a team led by PI Sachin Lokre, along with PSI Madhav Naik and HC Chandrashekhar Pednekar, was dispatched to Odisha. With assistance from Odisha Police, the team conducted raids at multiple locations before successfully apprehending the आरोपी.
The operation was carried out under the direction of SP Crime Branch Rahul Gupta and guidance of IGP Goa Keshav Chaurasiya.
Motive linked to disputes over wages and living conditions
According to police, preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused is originally from Rourkela, Odisha, and had been living in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He had technical training in electronics, computer hardware, chip-level repairs and motor rewinding.
Investigators said he was brought to Goa in October 2025 by the deceased after responding to an OLX advertisement. He was provided accommodation at the complainant’s premises, where one of the victims was also residing.
“Disputes had arisen between the accused and the deceased over non-payment of salary and expenses related to food, which led to persistent tensions,” police stated. The accused was also reportedly dissatisfied with the living conditions.
“Prima facie, the incident appears to have been triggered by these grievances,” police added, indicating that the killings were carried out to settle scores.
Accused brought back to Goa
Following his arrest in Odisha, the accused has been brought back to Goa for further investigation and legal proceedings.
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