PANAJI
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Merces, on Wednesday issued notices to Superintendent of Police (North) Harish Madkaikar, SP (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta, SP Jivba Dalvi and Crime Branch Police Inspector Tushar Lotlikar in connection with a complaint filed by activist Kashinath Shetye.
Shetye has alleged that the police failed to register an FIR based on his complaint against two police officers. The court has posted the matter for hearing on July 21.
According to Shetye, Police Inspector Gourish Malik and Police Sub-Inspector Sanket Pokre misused their official positions and facilitated the registration of a false extortion case against him, while ignoring his own complaint arising from the same incident.
In his petition before the JMFC, Shetye claimed that he had approached the police first with allegations that he was assaulted, but his complaint was not recorded. He further alleged that an FIR accusing him of extortion and assault was registered against him with unusual speed.
Shetye has also alleged collusion among police officials and a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation through the criminal case.
The complaint relates to a dispute over the alleged illegal landfilling of mangroves and salt pans at Morombi-O-Pequeno in Merces. According to police, the extortion case was registered following a complaint by Yogesh Tigadi, who alleged that Shetye and another person demanded Rs 15 lakh to settle litigation linked to the landfilling issue. Tigadi further claimed that he was assaulted after refusing the demand.
However, Shetye has consistently denied the allegations and maintained that he was the victim in the incident.
