Police in Canacona have filed a charge sheet against the prime suspect in Danielle McLaughlin’s murder case.
The 28-year-old Buncrana woman’s body was discovered on the 14th of March at Palolem Beach in Canacona near Goa with injuries to her head and face.
The Times of India report that a 374-page charge sheet has been filed against Vikat Bhagat (24) before the local court on Friday, with PI Rajendra Prabhudessai telling their reporters that the chargesheet includes 58 exhibits, as well as statements from 68 witnesses.
Similar to a book of evidence, a charge sheet is a formal document of accusation compiled by Indian authorities.
Bhagat has been chargesheeted under four major sections of the India Penal Code, including; Sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 394 (robbery), and 201 (destruction of evidence).
Bhagat was arrested 24 hours after the discovery of Danielle’s body, but has denied being involved in her murder. In a 29-page letter to his sister, he instead claimed that three of his friends murdered her.
He claims that he was in a relationship with Danielle, and could not come to her aid while the three men attacked her due to a recent shoulder surgery.
Police investigated his claims; however the role of the three men “cannot be established” according to Indian authorities.
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