PANAJI
Inspector General of Prisons (IGP) Elvis Gomes on Friday initiated an inquiry under the superintendent of Sada jail into the alleged grievous assault and attempt to murder on Ravindra Velip, a panch member from Cavrem-Pirla village panchayat and an anti-illegal mining activist, that occurred on the morning of March 23 while in judicial custody at Sada jail.
The report of this inquiry is expected to be ready by March 26.
Meanwhile, IGP Gomes also briefed Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar about the issue.
Velip wrote to the IGP and Chief Secretary on Thursday, seeking registration of a criminal offence against jail authorities as well as those, who he suspects, were involved in the alleged incident.
Velip along with four other villagers were arrested on March 22 for obstructing transportation of ore in Cavrem. They were placed under judicial custody and were transferred to Sada jail the same evening.
Velip, in his complaint, has stated that he was attacked by 'at least four persons' while he was on his way to the toilet at around 10.30 am on March 23.
He said that they caught him from behind, blindfolded and gagged him before beating him with fists and boots.
"I was lifted and thrown down from a height resulting in multiple fractures on my forearm and severe pain in my neck," states the complaint.
However, Velip claimed that he remained silent about the alleged assault owing to serious threats made by the alleged assailants and confided in his advocate only after he was released at around 10 pm later that day.
Velip's advocate took him to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim and a medico-legal case was registered.
However, GMC medical report has recorded a 'radial head closed feature to the elbow'. A cast was prescribed and Velip has been asked to return to GMC OPD after a week.
