MARGAO
In a major development in the 2001 Ticketgate case, the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Saturday closed the evidence of the prosecution on the plea that no steps have been taken by the prosecution to prosecute the matter.
The court has now fixed the next date of hearing on May 6 for recording the statement of the accused persons under Section 313 of the CrPC.
The court decision implies that the prosecution will not be able to examine the remaining witnesses including the investigation officer. Sources, however, said the public prosecutor representing the State will have to make an application to the court, stating the reasons why the prosecution could not prosecute the case.
When the fake cricket case allegedly involving former Goa Cricket Association chief Dayanand Narvekar and eight others came up for hearing before the 1st Additional Court on Saturday morning, Special Public Prosecutor Adv Vinay Borkar submitted before Judge Carlo Da Silva that he has written a letter to the Under Secretary, Government of Goa withdrawing his appearance in the case.
Adv Borkar further submitted that since he has already notified the State that he is withdrawing his appearance, he no longer has any instruction from the State and therefore is not in a position to take any steps in the matter.
The Judge said since no steps have been taken by the prosecution to prosecute the matter, the evidence of the prosecution stands closed.
Incidentally, at the last date of hearing last week, the court on April 8, had warned the prosecution and had given a last and final opportunity that the matter will be dismissed due to non prosecution. In fact, the Judge had given an opportunity to the Special Public Prosecutor to appear and take the matter seriously and prosecute the matter.
Trial in the 2001 cricket ticketgate case is dragging on for the last many years, with sources in the prosecution saying due to the non-appearance of witness, especially the outstation witnesses.
Sources said the prosecution had cited around 200 witnesses in support of its case, but only half the number of witnesses have been examined till date. While the Investigation Officer SP, Umesh Gaonkar has retired from service, another police officer has expired during the Covid-19 pandemic.
