Politicians, activists question police version; seek Crime Branch probe; SP assures further action after final medical reports
MARGAO
Superintendent of Police, South Goa, Tikam Singh’s statement that victim Edberg Pereira sustained head injuries after he fell down because of “disbalance” has triggered a huge row, throwing up unanswered questions over the entire episode.
Demands have also been raised to hand over the probe to the Crime Branch in view of the SP’s statement that Edberg fell down and sustained injuries after he lost balance. Questions are also being raised as to why the Goa Police has placed PSI Nilesh Shirvoikar under suspension and booked him under the BNS if Edberg had merely fallen down and sustained injuries after losing balance.
Briefing the media in the morning, SP Tikam Singh informed that Edberg Pereira was brought to the Margao police station after the police received a call via the PCR. “Edberg was brought to the police station, but he created a ruckus. The PSI on duty Nilesh Shirvoikar tried to calm him down, but fell down and sustained injuries due to disbalance,” Singh said.
When the media asked the district police chief to shed light on reports that Edberg was chained by the police while in Margao police custody, SP Tikam Singh only assured to inquire into the allegation, promising to initiate further action.
Saying the victim is presently out of danger, the SP said the police is waiting for the final report from the hospital to initiate further action.
Tikam Singh’s statement that Edberg sustained injuries after he lost balance and fell down has received flak from activist Pratima Coutinho, besides Congress MLA Carlos Alvares and AAP chief Amit Palekar.
Coutinho has demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant take cognisance of the statement made by SP Tikam Singh. “How can the SP make such a statement when Edberg is battling for life at the GMC, Bambolim? Will any person sustain such grievous injuries because of a fall after losing balance,” Pratima demanded to know.
AAP chief Amit Palekar demanded the transfer of the Margao police custody case to the Crime Branch with the SP making a statement that has defied logic and aimed at protecting the police. Congress MLA Carlos Alvares wondered why the Goa Police suspended the PSI if the victim had fallen down after losing balance. Many questions still remain unanswered, Alvares added.
