Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Jun 6: A 22-year-old college student from Mapusa allegedly died by suicide after finding himself at the centre of a social media controversy triggered by a viral video and subsequent police action, police said.

Samuel Braganza, a third-year college student and resident of Gaunsavaddo, Mapusa, allegedly shot himself in the head with a pistol in the early hours of Friday.

According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Salim Shaikh, preliminary investigations suggest that the student may have been under severe emotional distress following the circulation of a video that allegedly showed him dumping garbage by the roadside and the registration of a criminal case against him.

The sequence of events reportedly began on June 3 when a citizen recorded a video purportedly showing Samuel disposing of waste at a public location. The footage was widely shared on social media, attracting criticism from members of the public.

Acting on the viral video, Mapusa Police registered a case against Samuel 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. He was summoned to the police station on Thursday and served a legal notice.

Family members alleged that the student struggled to cope with the public attention and humiliation that followed.

According to relatives, the person who recorded the video allegedly confronted Samuel at the spot, questioned him aggressively and reprimanded him despite his apologising for the act.

“He was not only yelled at, but his bike keys were also taken away by the person shooting the video. The worst part was that the video was made viral, putting tremendous pressure on him,” a family member said.

The family further claimed that the pressure intensified after he was called to the police station.

“If that ignominy was not enough, he was called to the police station, kept there for over four hours and later an FIR was lodged against him,” a relative alleged.

Police said a country-made pistol was allegedly used in the incident. Investigators are examining how the weapon came into the family's possession.

“The forensic team is at the site collecting evidence. We have not been able to question the family in detail as they are in a state of shock,” SDPO Shaikh said.

Friends and neighbours described Samuel as a calm young student with a promising future, expressing shock over the tragedy.

The incident has sparked debate over online vigilantism, public shaming and the psychological impact of viral social media exposure. Police said further investigation into the case is underway.