PANAJI
In what could indicate a flawed investigation, the Panaji police have produced “weak” evidence to conclusively prove that history-sheeter Rony D’Souza was involved in the near-fatal assault on his rival Suryakant Kambli on December 11, 2023.
Granting bail to Rony, the Sessions Court noted that CCTV footage showed the assailants wearing masks while the charge sheet implicated another person.
“On going through the records, more specifically, on viewing the CCTV footage of the incident as provided on a CD by the investigating officer, it is seen that the assailants were wearing masks at the time of the attack on the victim. It is not the case of the prosecution that this accused was one of the assailants,” Judge Sherin Paul observed, adding, “Much to the contrary, the charge sheet indicates that it was another accused who had assaulted the victim.”
The only evidence against Rony was the testimony of one assailant claiming Rony ordered the attack, which the Court termed as “weak” evidence. “This is a weak piece of evidence, more so, as the victim has not made any statement that he was on inimical terms with this accused,” Judge Paul added.
Rony, previously charged under the National Security Act, was arrested in March for attempted murder. Two minors, aged 15 and 17, hailing from Maharashtra and West Bengal and aspiring to become criminals, were arrested in the case whereas the ‘prime accused’ who the police identified as Rony, was absconding. He was subsequently arrested and has been in judicial lock-up since then after completing police custody.
