Panaji: The family of physiotherapist and social worker Dr Ketan Bhatikar has appealed to the public to stop speculation and politicisation surrounding his death following a snake-bite incident at Anmod Ghat.
Amid growing public discussion over the circumstances of the incident, Bhatikar’s family released an emotional video appeal late Sunday night urging people to respect their grief and refrain from sensationalising the tragedy.
Ketan’s elder brother, Dr Kautuk Bhatikar, said, “Please do not politicise or socialise Ketan’s death. For our family, this chapter is closed after losing our beloved Ketan. What eyewitness Sushant Kawekar means to us is difficult to express in words. We do not want any enquiry because we have already lost our Ketan. Kindly stop all speculation on this topic.”
The emotional briefing was attended by Ketan’s father Kirti Kumar, mother Kadambari, and Kautuk’s wife Sonam.
Bhatikar died after being bitten by a snake while returning from Dandeli during the early hours of May 15. The incident occurred in a remote forest stretch near the Karnataka checkpost at Anmod Ghat.
Poor mobile connectivity and the absence of nearby medical facilities allegedly delayed emergency treatment. He was later declared brought dead at the Pilliem Primary Health Centre.
