PANAJI: Activists under the banner of Goencho Avaaz have demanded a fast track court for the Betalbatim rape case to try the accused and award maximum punishment.
Addressing a press conference, members including Capt Viriato Fernandes, Manoj Parab, Advocate Ohm Stanley, Elma Dias and Suraj Naik demanded that under no circumstances should the accused be handed over to the Madhya Pradesh police, where he is also facing cases.
The people of Goencho Avaaz say they have learnt that one of the accused from the three has a criminal record being accused of a double murder in Madhya Pradesh.
“We demand that the State Government exercise its power under section 268 of the CrPC to immediately pass an order to nullify any transfer warrant that may be issued by any court in MP under section 267 of the CrPC,” Adv Stanley demanded.
The MP police can use a transfer warrant to take custody of the accused, but the Goa Police should fight the transfer warrant.
He said that the real challenge is to ensure that since the transfer actually lies in the hands of the State government to get them to enforce their rights.
“We have gone in to speak to Arvind Gawas, IPS officer to see what measures have been taken against the case,” added Fernandes.
This a warning to the government to provide some guarantee safety to the people of the state, or look into the matter and make sure there is some action taken if not then the action by the people is to be seen soon, Parab said.
