the goan I network
MARGAO
When the bail plea came up for hearing before the jam-packed court on Wednesday noon, the judge realized there was no Assistant Public Prosecutor to advance arguments on behalf of the Economic Offences Cell.
As many as four lawyers representing the depositors as interveners as well as the defence lawyer were ready to argue the matter in court, but the arguments could not take place in the absence of the APP, who is learnt to be on sick leave.
That’s not all. Judge Reina Fernandes was very much keen in hearing arguments in the matter. While expressing her displeasure over the absence of the regular APP in court, she told the EOC investigating officer to call another APP to represent the state.
When Assistant Public Prosecutor, Shilpa Nagvenkar, made her presence felt in the packed court room, she submitted before Judge Reina of her inability to argue on behalf of the state since the investigating officer has not even briefed her about the case.
Nagvenkar submitted she will be not in a position to argue the matter without studying the case file and the say filed by the Economic Offences Cell before the court.
Caught in a tight spot, Judge Reina had no option than to adjourn the matter to June 23 noon, with a direction to the investigating office to ensure that the APP remains present in the court room.
A large number of beleaguered depositors were present inside and outside the court room. The Margao police had deployed a strong posse of policemen outside the court room and at the entrance of the court building as a precautionary measure after defence lawyer, Adv Rajiv Gomes, had, during the last hearing, sought police protection fearing threats from depositors for taking up Raikar’s case. Adv Gomes moved an application before Judge Reina Fernandes on Wednesday saying he cannot come to the court room fearing an attack on him.
