Dr. Ketan Bhatikar, a 38-year-old [1] Goa Congress leader, died from a snakebite on Thursday night [2].
Bhatikar was a prominent figure within the party and a medical professional, serving as a physiotherapist. He had previously been the Congress candidate for the Ponda assembly by-poll, which was later cancelled. His sudden death represents a loss of a rising political leader in the region.
The incident occurred on Thursday, May 14, 2026 [2], while Bhatikar was traveling to Dandeli village in Karnataka. He was bitten at Karmal Ghat, located on the border between Goa and Karnataka [3].
Emergency responders transported him to a Primary Health Centre, where he was declared dead [3]. While some reports describe the incident as a snakebite [4], other accounts characterize it as a suspected snakebite [5].
Bhatikar was 38 years old [1] at the time of the incident. His death has drawn tributes from various political figures, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Arvind Kejriwal [6].
The tragedy occurred during a transit through a high-risk geographical area known for its dense vegetation and wildlife. The loss of a candidate who had already been vetted for a legislative seat may impact the party's local organizational structure in Ponda.
“Dr. Ketan Bhatikar, a 38-year-old Goa Congress leader, died from a snakebite”
The death of Dr. Ketan Bhatikar removes a dual-professional asset—a medical practitioner and a political candidate—from the Goa Congress party. Because he had already been positioned as a candidate for the Ponda assembly by-poll, his absence creates a vacuum in the party's localized strategy for that specific constituency.
