The police probe into the death of social activist Bismarque Dias has revealed that he died of drowning and there was no foul play in it, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told the state Assembly.
"Thorough investigation into the case was conducted by Crime Branch police station and from the inquiry, it is clear that Father Bismarque Dias died due to 'asphyxia as a result of drowning in water' and there is no foul play in the death," Parsekar said in a written reply in the House.
Dias, also a non-practising Catholic priest, had on November 5 last year drowned in a water body in his village St Estevam when he had ventured for a swim along with two other youths.
Various organisations and his family members had suspected foul play in his death, following which the Old Goa Police had handed over the case to the Crime Branch.
Parsekar said though the police have come to the conclusion, the body of Dias is still lying at GMC Morgue, identified but not claimed by his relatives.
The issue was raised on the floor of the House by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.
Dias was part of several agitations, including opposition to a golf course planned at Tiracol village in Pernem.
The family members had suspected that he was killed by someone due to his opposition to various anti-people and anti-environmental projects.
The priest-turned-activist had even unsuccessfully fought the 2012 Goa Assembly election from Cumbharjua constituency as an Independent candidate.
