Canacona (Goa): In a charge-sheet filed before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Canacona, Goa police has charged local youth Vikat Bhagat for raping and murdering a British woman in March this year.

Police had arrested Bhagat for raping and murdering 28-year-old British national of Irish origin  Danielle McLaughlin whose battered naked corpse was found between Canacona and Agonda beaches on March 15.

The accused who had befriended the girl during her holidays in Goa had confessed to the police of raping and killing the girl. McLaughlin’s face was smashed with the stone while she was hit with a beer bottle on her head and was also strangulated, which resulted in her death.

Police investigations had also revealed that she was raped by the accused at an isolated spot where her body was found.

“We have examined 68 witnesses in the case during the investigation which clearly indicates that the girl was killed by Bhagat, who has a criminal background,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (Canacona) Sammy Tavares said.

He said that Bhagat has been charged for raping, murdering, stealing the property of the deceased and trying to destroy the evidence.

Police who were groping in darkness initially over the murder had finally zeroed in on Bhagat through his facebook account which showed him with the deceased.

Team TNV