Three held in fatal Majorda bullfight, police probe lapses

Margao: Three persons were arrested in connection with the death of 42-year-old Rajesh Nagush Nistani during an illegal bullfight at Majorda on Sunday, even as police began an investigation into the incident. Colva police arrested Santano Cardozo from Curtorim, Joaquim Pereira from Majorda, and Jose Cardozo from Majorda in connection with organising the dhirio. Two others remain at large.

The accused persons were booked under Section 105 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Section 11(1)(m)(n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The postmortem examination conducted at the South Goa District Hospital certified the cause of death as “damage to right lung as a result of puncture penetrating injury to chest, with haemorrhagic shock to multiple similar injuries on chest, waist and limbs caused by a blunt, elongated, pointed object”.

Superintendent of police Tikam Singh Verma ordered an inquiry to determine whether there were any lapses on the part of the police in preventing the bullfight that led to Nistani’s death. “If any lapse is found, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

According to the complaint filed by the state, the five accused persons organised a bullfight between two bulls named Godfather and Chando despite having full knowledge that such events are prohibited. It states that the accused persons “were fully aware that fights between bulls will pose risk” and had “the potential to cause serious injuries or even death of public”. During the event Chando became aggressive, moved into the crowd, and fatally gored Nistani, who was among the spectators.