Gawade apologises in viral video before taking extreme step; Agassaim police acknowledge video, say needs verification
PANAJI
A viral video of a 22-year-old constable Prathamesh Gawade, possibly overlooked by the police department, has accused two female constables and a civilian of “mental torture and harassment.”
The 2.18-minute video, reportedly recorded before Gawade jumped off the Zuari Bridge, begins with him apologising for his decision to take such an extreme step. He identified the two female constables, one of whom was in a relationship with him and a man who was the brother of the second lady constable.
Visibly distressed, Gawade – posted at Vasco railway police station – stated that the brother-sister pair repeatedly threatened him, while his girlfriend allegedly asked him “to die” when he tried to bring a disputed matter to consensus including their proposed love marriage.
“I apologise for taking this extreme step,” he said, holding the three accountable for his suicide.
“They would call me at night to threaten me. They have mentally tortured and harassed me. My girlfriend and I had some disputes which we tried to resolve, but she wouldn’t listen. Her family did not approve of our relationship although mine did…” he explained, adding that his girlfriend imposed a condition he could not accept.
In the video, he further claimed that after her duty hours, his girlfriend called, asking him to die. “They have all harassed and tortured me. I just want justice,” he concluded. The Agassaim police conceded the viral video was indeed of the deceased cop, however, stated it needs to be verified for appropriate action.
“We might call the three persons named in the video for questioning. The case will be probed from all angles,” one of the senior officers justified the delay in taking action on the matter.
Gawade’s body was found floating near Berth 9 at Mormugao Port Authority on Sunday, a day after his fatal jump amid heavy traffic on the bridge.
This is the second such case in three months. In August 2024, 23-year-old constable Vaibhav Ulhas Naik from Dabolim-Shiroda reportedly died by suicide at his residence around 3:30 am. Naik was attached to the Escort Cell in Mapusa.
In the same month, senior lawyer Jayant Prabhu ended his life blaming a female sub-inspector for abetting his suicide.
Some cases in the past
August 2024: PC Vaibhav Naik died by suicide at his residence
March 2021: Assistant sub-inspector Santosh Naik attached to Porvorim police station ended his life
August 2018: A newly recruited LPC poisoned herself after she was allegedly sexually abused and harassed by a married PSI
March 2017: LPC, attached to the North Goa Superintendent of Police office, hung herself at her Porvorim residence
October 2015: PSI Gaurish Malik allegedly attempted to kill himself by firing a bullet from his service revolver at his chest
