Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 16: Former Goa MLA Lavoo Suryaji Mamledar, who represented the Ponda constituency from 2012 to 2017, passed away on Saturday following a physical altercation with an autorickshaw driver in Karnataka’s Belagavi.

According to police, the 69-year-old had traveled to Belagavi and booked a suite in a hotel at Khade Bazar. An argument broke out after his car allegedly brushed against an autorickshaw on a narrow stretch. The driver demanded compensation, which Mamledar refused, before proceeding to his hotel.

Eyewitnesses reported that the auto driver, identified as Shakeel Sanadi, followed Mamledar to the hotel and allegedly slapped him in the parking area. Moments later, as Mamledar attempted to climb the stairs to his suite, he collapsed near the reception counter. He was rushed to the government civil hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Belagavi DCP City Rohan Jagadeesh confirmed that Sanadi has been taken into custody, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of death, including any pre-existing health conditions.

Mamledar’s daughter, advocate Akshata Mamledar, arrived in Belagavi and lodged a formal complaint with the police. Goa CM Pramod Sawant expressed grief over Mamledar’s passing and assured full coordination with Belagavi authorities for a thorough probe.

Mamledar, a former Goa Police officer, had joined the force in 1981 and retired as Deputy SP in 2007. His political career saw him elected as an MLA from Ponda on an MGP ticket in 2012. He later joined the TMC in 2021, then Congress in 2022, contesting unsuccessfully from Marcaim.

His sudden demise has left the political and police fraternity in shock, with tributes pouring in from colleagues and leaders.