MARGAO
With the first five cases going in favour of Francis Pereira, all eyes are now focused on the Court of Judicial Magistrates First Class, Margao, as the fate of as many as four desecration cases reported in South Goa will be decided tomorrow (Thursday).
While the accused through his lawyers (appearing for him under the free legal aid scheme) has moved the courts for his discharge, the Goa police must be hoping against hope that they are saved from further embarrassment with the first five out of the 12 cases
With the first five cases going in favour of Francis Pereira, all eyes are now focused on the Court of Judicial Magistrates First Class, Margao, as the fate of as many as four desecration cases reported in South Goa will be decided tomorrow (Thursday).
While the accused through his lawyers (appearing for him under the free legal aid scheme) has moved the courts for his discharge, the Goa police must be hoping against hope that they are saved from further embarrassment with the first five out of the 12 cases
going in favour of the accused for want of evidence.
Adv Eric Coutinho, who is appearing for Francis in the Paroda desecration case, said the police have not submitted any evidence in support of the claim that the accused was involved in the desecration. "We have drawn attention of the judge that disclosure panchanama cannot be taken as evidence. The prosecution has not produced any iota of evidence in support of the cases," Adv Coutinho said.
Pereira, who was brought to the court of Judge Kalpana Gauns on Wednesday from Colvale Jail, was apparently hoping that the court would deliver the judgement in the three cases listed for orders on Wednesday. The court, however, adjourned the matter to Thursday.
The Margao courts had discharged the accused in five desecration cases, including the seven temples case, Calconda Krishna Temple case, Calconda cross case, Alma Khuris case and the Paroda Holy Cross desecration case for want of evidence, rejecting the plea of the Goa police to frame charges against the accused.
Court sources informed that that while four cases are expected to be disposed off on Thursday, another case is expected to come up for hearing before a Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, for arguments on Friday.
Adv Eric Coutinho, who is appearing for Francis in the Paroda desecration case, said the police have not submitted any evidence in support of the claim that the accused was involved in the desecration. "We have drawn attention of the judge that disclosure panchanama cannot be taken as evidence. The prosecution has not produced any iota of evidence in support of the cases," Adv Coutinho said.
Pereira, who was brought to the court of Judge Kalpana Gauns on Wednesday from Colvale Jail, was apparently hoping that the court would deliver the judgement in the three cases listed for orders on Wednesday. The court, however, adjourned the matter to Thursday.
The Margao courts had discharged the accused in five desecration cases, including the seven temples case, Calconda Krishna Temple case, Calconda cross case, Alma Khuris case and the Paroda Holy Cross desecration case for want of evidence, rejecting the plea of the Goa police to frame charges against the accused.
Court sources informed that that while four cases are expected to be disposed off on Thursday, another case is expected to come up for hearing before a Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, for arguments on Friday.
