Panaji, Nov 9 (TOI): A team of three forensic experts of Goa medical college (GMC) and hospital, Bambolim, who conducted the second postmortem on the body of social activist Bismarque Dias on Sunday afternoon has reserved its opinion. Whether the social activist really died due to drowning or there was foul play behind his death, can be confirmed only after chemical analysis of the viscera. Also awaited is the analysis of pieces of lung and sternal bone for detection of diatoms, a type of aquatic organism present in Dias' body, a government official said.
Dr Edmund Rodrigues, head of department of the forensic department, Dr Andre Fernandes and Dr Sunil Chimbolkar conducted the autopsy. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, the autopsy was recorded on video. The body of the former priest-turned-social activist, who was missing since Thursday night, was found floating in the River Mandovi near Cupa, St Estevam, on Saturday morning.
The second postmortem has been conducted after a demand was made by Dias' family members, friends and some social activists, who suspect foul play. The first autopsy, conducted by a team of two forensic experts on Saturday, had given the cause of death as drowning. The first postmortem report had noted that only 50ml of urine was found in the body of the deceased. A source said that if the deceased had consumed lots of alcohol, as claimed by the police, his (Dias') bladder should have been full. "If he drank so much alcohol, where did it all disappear?" he pointed out.
The second autopsy has not found any external injuries on the body. When decomposition sets in, it is not easy to determine bodily injuries inflicted prior to a person's death, a source said. Also, soft tissues of the body such as a portion of the mouth was eaten by aquatic creatures. Whatever injuries have been found are postmortem, said a source.
Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) has demanded a thorough investigation into what it termed as the "sudden and unnatural death" of Dias, as he had received death threats. His death has come as a shock to people, especially those campaigning to protect land and natural resources through people's participation in planning processes like the regional plan 2021 for Goa , GBA convenor Sabina Martins stated. The activists will convene a meeting near St Stephen's Church, St Estevam, today at 4pm, to take stock of the situation and discuss a plan of action.