Debate arises over new judge’s role in politician trials in South Goa court

MARGAO
As the criminal cases against politicians are scheduled to come up for hearing before the newly-posted South Goa Sessions Judge Sherin Paul on Friday, questions are being raised in legal circles whether the South Goa Sessions Court will continue the trial against Ministers Mauvin Godinho and Atanasio Monserrate and Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate.

For, South Goa Principal Sessions Judge, Irshad Agha stands transferred as the North Goa Principal and Sessions Judge, while Sherin Paul has assumed office as new South Goa Principal Sessions Judge after the vacation on June 10.

In fact, there’s debate of sorts in the corridors of the South Goa court whether Judge Sherin Paul will take up the three criminal cases against politicians on the ground that the High Court had appointed outgoing Sessions Judge Irshad Agha as the designated and special court to try the three criminal cases against the three politicians.

Sources pointed out that trial in all the three criminal cases have been pending before the South Goa Sessions Court since February 2023 when the High Court had designated Session Judge Irshad Agha as the designated judge.

However, with Judge Irshad Agha now transferred as North Goa Sessions judge, the issue over the court jurisdiction in trying the three criminal cases against the  Monserrates and Godinho is expected to come up before the Sessions Court when the three cases come up for hearing on Friday.

Minister Mauvin Godinho is facing trial in the alleged power rebate scam case, while Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate is facing trial in the alleged minor girl rape case.  Atanasio and wife Jennifer are also facing trial in the Panaji police station attack case.

A defence lawyer told The Goan that the issue may be raised before Sessions Judge Sherin Paul when the three criminal cases against the three politicians come up for hearing on Friday. 

“Let us wait and see how things unfold in the Sessions Court on Friday when the three cases come up for hearing. As far as I understand, the High Court had appointed outgoing South Goa Sessions Judge as the designated judge to try the three cases. We expect clarity in the matter when the cases come up for hearing before Judge Sherin Paul,” remarked a lawyer.