Acting on this application, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Panaji, Vaishali Lotlikar, issued oral directions to the investigating team.
“The applicant has learnt that the investigating authority has revealed false, incorrect information and details of the investigation to the electronic and print media, and that false news is in circulation since yesterday,” reads the application in reference to the reports of summons being served to Monserrate by the Women’s Police Station, Panaji giving him time to surrender by 7 pm.
“No such summons have been served till today. In these circumstances, the applicant craves that the investigating authorities be directed not to disclose any details of the investigation to the media,” Monserrate requested.
While submitting the application, Adv Gomes stated, “We fear that the investigation is not progressing in a fair and proper manner. The police are releasing recorded statements to the press. This is a sensitive investigation, and it can’t be carried out in this manner.”
Quoting from another judgement, Adv Gomes said that investigation of a crime is to be carried out in secrecy and the investigating agency is not entitled to disclose information to the media or public at large on account of principle, authority and propriety.
“Information and documents obtained during the investigation necessarily has to be maintained in secrecy,” he said, while moving an application to direct the investigating agencies not to divulge information to the media.
It was also pointed out that the raid conducted by the Crime Branch on Monserrate’s farmhouse in Taleigao on Thursday morning was carried out in his absence, and that of any family members. “The raid was carried out in presence of a maid when I and my wife should have been made a part,” said the accused.
Member of the investigating team, PI (Crime Branch) Dattaguru Sawant, has been given time to reply to the application by Monday.
