PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issuednotice to the Director of Prosecution on a petition challenging the State’sdecision to provide a public prosecutor to defend police officers accused offailing to register a First Information Report (FIR) on a complaint by anElectricity Department officer.
Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye hasquestioned the appointment of a public prosecutor to represent SPs Rahul Gupta,Jivba Dalvi and Harishchandra Madkaikar, and Police Inspector Tushar Lotlikarin cases arising from his complaints against them.
Shetye argued that public prosecutors mustrepresent the State and uphold public interest, rather than defend policeofficers facing allegations of misconduct. He challenged the allegedappointment of an Additional Public Prosecutor by the Directorate ofProsecution and the Advocate General to represent the officers.
The petitioner also alleged that policepersonnel conspired with one Yogesh Tigade to falsely implicate him in anassault and extortion case. Shetye said that the alleged conspiracy was topressurise him into withdrawing public interest litigations about environmentaldegradation and alleged illegal gambling activities.
