Quantum of sentence to be decided on Feb 17
Margao: The eight-year fight for justice following the gruesome rape and murder of 28-year-old Irish-British national Danielle McLaughlin finally ended in conviction of accused Vikat Bhagat with the District and Sessions Court in Margao on Friday finding him guilty of the crimes.
Order on the quantum of sentence will be delivered on February 17.
The accused was convicted of the crimes under Sections 302 and 376 of Indian Penal Code. He was present in the courtroom when the judge pronounced him guilty of the charges.
McLaughlin, a former student of Liverpool John Moores University, had visited Goa in 2017 with a friend to celebrate Holi festival. Her body was found at an isolated area in Canacona in a pool of blood.
Police had arrested Bhagat, a resident of Canacona, on charges of murdering the Irish-British national. During the investigation, police had said Bhagat, who had a criminal record, was seen with McLaughlin, along with three other locals, at a shack, not too far from where her body was found.
Police had said Bhagat had admitted that he had raped the Irish woman after taking her to an isolated spot. He then killed her using a broken beer bottle to prevent her from revealing his identity. Her body was found the next day, with injuries to her head and face.
Advocate A Braz D’Sa, who represented the accused, said observations of the court were not fair and he would appeal against the verdict. He later sought leniency from the court during announcement of the quantum of sentence.
The public prosecutor argued that the court should show no leniency towards the accused. He said the crime has been committed against an innocent woman, who was killed at a young age. He also said the court should make the accused pay a significant amount of compensation for the hardships and pain the kin of the deceased had to go through.
Later, speaking to reporters, advocate Vikram Varma, who assisted the prosecution during the trial, said the accused has been convicted of murder under Section 302 and also convicted of rape under Section 376. He said the detailed judgment will be known only on receipt of a copy of the verdict. Varma said the public prosecutor has sought maximum punishment for the guilty as permissible under the law.
Mixed emotions overwhelm family
Margao: Justice was finally delivered to Danielle McLaughlin’s family members, who were present in the jam-packed courtroom as the verdict was pronounced.
Mixed emotions overwhelmed McLaughlin’s mother Andrea, sister Joylene and some childhood friends apart from members of the British embassy who held onto each other’s hands with joy as the judge read the verdict.
Tears rolled down the eyes of Andrea and Joylene as their 8-year-old legal battle for justice finally ended.
Speaking to media, Joylene said, “We, as Danielle’s family and friends, are thankful to everyone involved in our fight for justice. They have treated her like their daughter and have tirelessly fought for her. We are so thankful that their hard work has paid off and that Vikat has been found guilty of taking away Danielle from us.”
“We have lost nearly eight years of our lives fighting for Danielle and we are so thankful that we now can start grieving her immeasurable loss. She made the most of her 28 years and lived every day to the fullest,” Joylene said.
Andrea quietly walked away from the courtroom only to be joined by the family and friends with emotions of joy and pain.
UK, Irish govts welcome verdict
Margao: Following the conviction of Vikat Bhagat, the British and the Irish governments expressed support for the family of the deceased. In a brief statement, the British government, through its high commissioner, said, “Our thoughts are with the family today. We continue to provide support as required.” Tánaiste or the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland Simon Harris, in a separate press statement, acknowledged the verdict in the case.
“I have been made aware of the guilty verdict issued in the murder trial concerning Danielle McLaughlin, who was killed while travelling in India in 2017. I would like to pay tribute to Danielle’s family, particularly her mother Andrea, for her determination and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy,” the statement read.
The Irish government, in partnership with the UK government, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and diplomatic offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Dublin, has been actively engaged in the case.
