Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: A 23-year-old college student from Gavsawado, Mapusa, was found dead in the early hours of Friday, days after a video purportedly showing him dumping garbage in a public place went viral on social media and led to the registration of a police case against him.
The deceased was identified as a resident of Gavsawado. According to SDPO Salim Shaikh, the young man allegedly used a pistol. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The case stems from a video reportedly recorded by a citizen on June 3, which allegedly showed the student disposing of waste by the roadside. The footage was widely shared on social media the following day, drawing public attention and criticism.
Acting on the viral video, Mapusa Police registered a case against the student under Section 271 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act for allegedly creating a public health hazard. Police subsequently summoned him to the station and served him a legal notice on Thursday.
Sources indicated that the rapid sequence of events, including the circulation of the video, public attention on social media, and the initiation of legal proceedings, may have caused the student considerable mental stress. Investigators are examining all circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has triggered discussion over the impact of online scrutiny and public shaming, particularly on young individuals. It has also renewed calls for greater sensitivity in handling incidents that attract widespread attention on social media platforms.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter. He said the government would conduct a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the student’s death and determine the sequence of events preceding the incident.
