Former minister's brother found dead in Goa

Panaji: Former Goa BJP minister Ramrao Dessai's brother Rajesh was found dead on Thursday at the family farmhouse in a village near here, police said.

"We found the body of Rajesh at his farmhouse. The investigations are on. The cause of the death has not been ascertained till now," police inspector Ravi Dessai told PTI.

The Dessai-family owned farmhouse in Curchorem village, about 60 kms from here, where Rajesh's body was recovered was in news after Sameer Mapari who worked as a driver with the family, was also found dead in a river in 2007 in the same place.

The prosecution in the Sameer Mapari death case had said that the driver was allegedly killed at Dessai family's farmhouse.

The involvement of Rajesh and two others was suspected during police investigations. The three were subsequently arrested but acquitted by South Goa District and Sessions Court due to lack of evidence in February 2013.

Sameer's mother had even tried to attack Rajesh outside the court when the judgement was pronounced.

A total of 100 witnesses were examined in the case which led to the political downfall of Ramrao, who had earlier held the Industries portfolio in the BJP-led state government.

"I have requested police to inquire the incident from all possible angles. Nothing can be said right now," said Ramrao, responding to a question whether he suspected that Rajesh was murdered.