Tragedy Strikes: Goa Congress Leader's Sudden Demise After Snakebite

Tragedy befell Goa politics as Congress leader Ketan Bhatikar succumbed to a fatal snakebite. His untimely demise prompted the Supreme Court to close proceedings on his plea against the cancellation of the Ponda assembly bypoll by the Bombay High Court.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted the circumstance of Bhatikar's death while on his way to Dandeli village in Karnataka. Bhatikar, contesting the opposition's candidate for the Ponda assembly seat, had disputed the court's decision invalidating the bypoll notification due to legislative term restrictions.

On the Goa-Karnataka border, a tragic encounter with a snake cut short a promising political journey, leaving the larger legal question unresolved, as the court adhered to procedure, formally closing the case after recording involved parties' submissions.

(With inputs from agencies.)