Panaji: Nearly five months after the double murder case was reported at Saligao, Goa police on Monday arrested Jagannath Bhagat from Odisha in connection with the murder of Richard D’Mello and Abhishek Gupta on Nov 6, last year.Goa police said that prima facie, the investigation indicates that the incident was triggered due to some disputes, and Bhagat killed both Richard and Abhishek to settle scores.Bhagat, a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh, fled from Goa after committing the crime and remained untraceable. Through sustained technical surveillance and continuous watch, he was tracked and apprehended in Odisha.SP (Crime) Rahul Gupta said that preliminary investigation revealed that Richard and Abhishek were attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, sustaining fatal injuries to their necks and other parts of the body. Their bodies were discovered in the afternoon of Nov 6, 2025, by the complainant in a pool of blood in his rented premises. Then he called police.“It was understood that Bhagat fled from Goa in the morning immediately after committing the murders,” the SP said. “Multiple teams of North Goa district police searched for Bhagat in Goa, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Delhi and Mumbai based on past records gathered from his friends, relatives and technical analysis. However, he was not found.”Gupta said that sustained and coordinated effort was undertaken by the crime branch, Saligao Police station, Porvorim police station, Cyber police station and PRISM, working together to develop technical and financial leads and track the movement of the accused across states. This helped trace Bhagat to Cuttack, Odisha.Goa police deputed a team to Odisha, where, with the assistance of Odisha police, they successfully traced, cornered and apprehended Bhagat.“Bhagat was taken into custody in Odisha and subsequently brought back to Goa to face legal proceedings,” the SP said.Based on preliminary interrogation, “it is known that Bhagat is a native of Rourkela, Odisha, and was living in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He had training in basic electronics, computer hardware and networking, chip-level mobile/laptop repair, and motor rewinding. He used to provide his expert services to shops and establishments for a monthly salary,” Gupta said.The SP said that Bhagat was brought to Goa in Oct 2025 by Richard and Abhishek after he showed interest in an OLX ad posted by the duo.Bhagat was provided accommodation at the residence of the complainant. Abhishek was also living in the same shared accommodation. It further transpired that disputes had arisen between the Bhagat and Richard and Abhishek on account of non-payment of salary and remuneration for food, which led to persistent tensions, Gupta said.The SP said Bhagat was allegedly aggrieved by the living conditions at the premises.
