NRI custodial death case: Request for second autopsy refused

Panaji, Jan 18 (PTI) The request for a second autopsy onthe body of a custodial death victim here has been turned downby a magistrate, conducting enquiry into the case.

Sub divisional magistrate Sabaji Shetye said that therewas no need to conduct a second autopsy on the body of39-year-old Cypriano Fernandes, a seafarer, who died in Panajipolice custody early this month.

Shetye said Cypriano''s family had approached him with therequest for a fresh autopsy but he advised them to meet thedoctors who conducted the first postmortem and clarify doubts.

Cypriano''s cousin Cosme Fernandes told PTI that a secondpost mortem was just to ascertain that all injuries arecovered. The first one was conducted by Goa Medical Collegeand the hospital had confirmed six injuries on his body.

The NRI died in police custody on January 8 after beingallegedly assaulted by policemen.Four cops including InspectorSandesh Chodankar have come under scanner in the case.

The family members have refused to accept the body of theseafarer, who was arrested by police after he tried tothreaten his girlfriend.

Goa police have constituted a departmental inquiry led byDeputy Superintendent of Police Bousette Silva to probewhether there was misconduct and procedural lapses on the partof the police after Cypriano''s arrest on January 7.