Vikat Bhagat found guilty of Danielle McLaughlin's rape, murder in Goa

Vikat Bhagat, 31, has been found guilty of the 2017 rape and murder of Irish woman Danielle McLaughlin in Goa, India. Danielle, from Buncrana, had been backpacking in India for only two weeks when her body was discovered by a farmer in a remote field. The trial faced numerous delays over nearly eight years, causing significant distress for Danielle's family, particularly her mother, Andrea Brannigan, who sought intervention from Irish authorities. Bhagat, who was known to Danielle, was arrested shortly after her death and faced a lengthy judicial process plagued by adjournments. After the verdict, Andrea expressed relief but also highlighted the emotional toll the delays had taken on their grieving process. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of the Indian justice system, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals.