Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The postmortem examination conducted on Congress leader Dr. Ketan Bhatikar has confirmed that his death was caused due to complications arising from a neurotoxic snake bite, Collem Police said.
According to police, the 40-year-old Ponda resident was brought dead to PHC Pilliem, Dharbandora, in the early hours of May 15 after he was allegedly bitten by a snake near Anmod in Karnataka.
During enquiry, police learned that Bhatikar was returning from Dandeli to Ponda along with a friend in a private car when they halted near the forest check post at Anmod for a short break. Police said Bhatikar’s mobile phone accidentally fell to the ground and while attempting to pick it up, he was allegedly bitten on his right wrist by a reptile.
He was rushed to PHC Pilliem, Dharbandora, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Police later conducted the inquest panchanama and referred the body to South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), Margao, for postmortem examination.
The police surgeon who conducted the autopsy certified the cause of death as “cerebral and pulmonary edema consequent to neurotoxic snake bite poisoning,” confirming that the venom had severely affected the brain and lungs.
After completion of medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to family members for final rites.
Further enquiry was conducted by PSI Rohan Naik of Collem Police Station.
