MARGAO
Accused Augustin Carvalho, a resident of Majorda, who was arrested by the Maina-Curtorim police in a theft case has been sentenced to 90-day simple imprisonment by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Margao after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
When the matter was called out in the first round on the last date of hearing, the Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel informed the Court that the accused wanted to plead guilty.
The Court explained to the accused the consequences of a plea of guilt and offered him time for reflection. However, the Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel assured the Court that the accused has understood the consequences of a plea of guilt and that the accused has understood that he could be imprisoned and is also liable to pay a fine. While assuring the Court that the accused has voluntarily wished to plead guilty, the Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel declined an opportunity for time for reflection, on behalf of the accused.
“When the charge was explained to the accused, he pleaded guilty. The plea of guilt was accepted, as the same was voluntarily made and since the Court was satisfied that the accused had understood the consequence of a plea of guilty,” the Chief Judicial Magistrate Carlo Santana Da Silva stated in his order while convicting the accused of the offences under sections 356 and 379 IPC.
