Goa Police Apprehends Fugitive Suspect in Saligao Double Homicide After Extensive Five-Month Manhunt
In a significant breakthrough, the Goa police have successfully arrested Jagannath Bhagat from Odisha in connection with the brutal double murder of Richard D’Mello and Abhishek Gupta that occurred in Saligao on November 6, 2025. The arrest comes nearly five months after the gruesome incident was reported, marking the culmination of an intense and coordinated interstate investigation.
Details of the Crime and Investigation
According to police officials, the preliminary investigation indicates that the murders were triggered by disputes, with Bhagat allegedly killing both victims to settle scores. The bodies of Richard D’Mello and Abhishek Gupta were discovered in a pool of blood at their rented premises in Saligao on the afternoon of November 6, 2025, by the complainant who immediately alerted the authorities.
Superintendent of Police (Crime) Rahul Gupta revealed that the victims sustained fatal injuries to their necks and other body parts from a sharp-edged weapon. Bhagat, a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh, fled Goa immediately after committing the crime and remained elusive for months, evading capture through careful movement across states.
Coordinated Police Efforts Lead to Arrest
The Goa police launched a massive manhunt, deploying multiple teams across North Goa district and beyond. Investigations spanned Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi, and Mumbai, based on intelligence gathered from Bhagat's friends, relatives, and technical analysis. However, initial searches proved fruitless as the suspect managed to stay off the radar.
Sustained technical surveillance and continuous monitoring eventually paid off when a coordinated effort by the crime branch, Saligao Police station, Porvorim police station, Cyber police station, and PRISM unit developed crucial technical and financial leads. This collaborative work enabled authorities to track Bhagat's movements across state lines, ultimately tracing him to Cuttack, Odisha.
A specialized Goa police team was dispatched to Odisha, where, with the assistance of local Odisha police, they successfully cornered and apprehended Bhagat. He was taken into custody in Odisha and subsequently brought back to Goa to face legal proceedings.
Background of the Accused and Motive
Based on preliminary interrogation, police have uncovered details about Bhagat's background and the possible motive behind the murders. Bhagat is a native of Rourkela, Odisha, who was living in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He possessed training in basic electronics, computer hardware and networking, chip-level mobile and laptop repair, and motor rewinding, and he provided expert services to various shops and establishments for a monthly salary.
The SP explained that Bhagat was brought to Goa in October 2025 by Richard and Abhishek after he expressed interest in an OLX advertisement posted by the duo. He was provided accommodation at the complainant's residence, where Abhishek was also living in shared quarters.
Disputes arose between Bhagat and the victims over non-payment of salary and remuneration for food, leading to persistent tensions. Bhagat was allegedly aggrieved by the living conditions at the premises, which police believe culminated in the violent altercation that resulted in the double homicide.
The arrest underscores the dedication and persistence of law enforcement agencies in pursuing justice, even in complex cases that span multiple jurisdictions. The Goa police have emphasized that their sustained efforts and technological advancements in surveillance were instrumental in bringing the suspect to book after months of evasion.
