Goa Police apprehend double murder suspect in Odisha after five-month manhunt

Goa Khabar : In a major breakthrough, the Goa Police have successfully tracked down and arrested the prime suspect in the brutal Saligao double murder case. The accused, identified as Jagannath Bhagat, was apprehended in Cuttack, Odisha, following a high-stakes, multi-state operation that lasted nearly five months.

The Crime

The case dates back to November 6, 2025, when the bodies of Richard D’mello and Abhishek Gupta were discovered in a pool of blood at a rented residence in Muddawado, Saligao. Investigations revealed that the victims had been attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, sustaining fatal injuries to their necks.

Bhagat, a resident of Chhattisgarh with technical expertise in electronics and mobile repair, had been hired by the duo via an OLX advertisement just a month prior to the incident. He fled the state on the morning the bodies were discovered.

The Investigation & Capture

Under the direction of SP Crime Branch Rahul Gupta, a massive technical surveillance operation was launched. Over several months, police teams tracked Bhagat’s movements through:

• Historical Records: Analyzing data from friends and relatives.
• Multi-State Searches: Specialized teams conducted raids in Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi, and Mumbai.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: A joint effort involving the Crime Branch, Cyber Police, PRISM, and the Saligao and Porvorim police stations.

The breakthrough came when technical leads placed the suspect in Cuttack, Odisha. A Goa Police team, supported by local Odisha authorities, successfully cornered and arrested Bhagat at a suspected hideout.

Motive: Salary Disputes and Living Conditions

Preliminary interrogation has shed light on a grim motive. Bhagat allegedly confessed that tensions had been boiling over unpaid salaries and disputes regarding food expenses. He further claimed to be aggrieved by the living conditions at the shared accommodation provided by the deceased. According to the police, the suspect committed the murders to “settle the score” before fleeing.

Legal Action

The accused has been brought back to Goa and is currently in custody. He faces charges under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

“This operation highlights the persistence and commitment of the Goa Police. Our teams worked tirelessly across state boundaries to ensure that justice is served, no matter how long the suspect remains absconding,” stated SP Rahul Gupta.

The investigation was conducted under the supervision of SP Crime Rahul Gupta and the guidance of IGP Goa, Keshav Chaurasiya.