MARGAO
After much delay, trial in the Betalbatim gang rape will commence from October 3 after city-based lawyer Adv Spencer Viegas has agreed to take up the brief for the three accused from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, under the free legal-aid scheme.
The case came up for hearing before the Additional Sessions Judge, Vijaya Amre, wherein the three accused -- Ishwar Mackwana (27), Ram Bariya (19) and Sanjeev Pal (23) were served the chargesheets by the prosecution.
With Adv Spencer Viegas taking up the brief for the three accused persons under the free legal-aid scheme, Judge Amre has adjourned the mater to October 3 for hearing of arguments before framing of charge.
Though it’s now two months since the Colva police had filed the chargesheet in the court, hearing of arguments before framing of charge could not commence for want of lawyers to defend the three accused in the court of law under the free legal-aid scheme.
While Adv Peter Fernandes was the first lawyer to turn down his appointment under the free legal-aid scheme to represent the three accused persons, city-based lawyer, Adv Julius Gomes followed suit.
The three accused have been charged by the Colva police for gang raping a 20-year old girl and for assaulting her 22-year old boyfriend at Betalbatim’s Sunset beach on May 25 night.
In the chargesheet the Colva police stated that the accused persons on the night of May 24, between 8.20 pm and 8.50 pm, wrongfully restrained the complainant victim and her boyfriend and threatened them with dire consequences before inducing the boy to hand over the keys of the scooter, thereby committing robbery.
The police further stated that the trio assaulted the victim’s boyfriend with fist blows and thereafter they had forceful sexual intercourse with the victim in turns against her wish and consent.
The accused were further accused for forcefully getting the victim and her boyfriend to undress before clicking their photos and video in a semi-nude state.
