Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, May 12: A fresh controversy has erupted in Goa over the handling of the death investigation of Home Guard Dinesh Gaude after the Forensic Department of South Goa District Hospital accused Forest Department officials of breaching the confidentiality of the post-mortem report.
In a strongly worded complaint submitted to the South Goa Collector, Head of the Forensic Department Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar sought a detailed inquiry into how confidential medical documents linked to the case surfaced on social media.
According to the complaint, the post-mortem examination of Dinesh Gaude was conducted on May 7 and the report was officially handed over only to the police authorities as part of the ongoing investigation.
However, on May 9, screenshots of the post-mortem report, along with a letter allegedly sent by the North Goa (Ponda) Forest Department to the Superintendent of Police, began circulating widely on social media platforms.
The Forensic Department alleged that the Forest Department not only gained access to the confidential report but also made “unscientific and inappropriate” remarks regarding the medical findings in its communication to police officials.
Dr Ghodkirekar stated that as per Supreme Court guidelines, post-mortem reports cannot be treated as public documents until completion of the investigation.
The complaint questioned how such confidential documents and official correspondence entered the public domain while the probe was still underway.
The Forensic Department further accused certain Forest Department officials of repeatedly attempting to dismiss claims relating to possible wild animal attacks, alleging that such actions were interfering with the police investigation and creating confusion through misleading information.
The complaint also highlighted that the deceased belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community and expressed concern that circulation of speculative or incorrect information could undermine the dignity and rights of the victim’s family.
It further alleged that confusion may have been deliberately created to weaken the family’s claim for compensation.
Seeking strict action, Dr Ghodkirekar urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the leak and identify those responsible for circulating confidential documents publicly.
Copies of the complaint have reportedly been forwarded to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and the Goa Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission.
The complaint stressed that government officials handling sensitive death investigations must act responsibly and maintain confidentiality, particularly in cases that remain under active police investigation.