VASCO
Hitting out at the police for arresting him after he was merely serving the police as a panch witness in a molestation case, Sushil Kumar Pillay said he would never serve as panch witness again and would advise others not to be panch witnesses in any case.
“I have been a panch witness earlier in police cases, but I never felt that the police would treat me in this manner,” said Pillay, while speaking to The Goan.
“My family, relatives and friends were shattered with my arrest. I am worried as my career could be at stake. If the case is reflected in my police clearance, I will always known as a criminal,” added Pillai.
I have been penalised by the police for the act that I never committed, as the police pleased the mob outside the police station on Tuesday night. In future, I will never be a panch witness and I will also advise others not to be panch witnesses. I was only helping the police and for this favour, I was paid back with an arrest,” lamented Pillai.
Meanwhile, Tara Kerkar clarified that NGOs are silent spectators during the registration of child molestation or rape cases, to ensure that police do not mistreat the victim.
“We are called by the police either to assist the victim in filing the complaint or talk to them about the incident,” said Kerkar. “In the present incident, the case was already registered on Monday at 6 am, and I was called at around 8 am by the police to assist the family. I cooperated with the police and got arrested to defuse the tension,” clarified Kerkar.
Police conduct panchanama of cleric’s house
VASCO
According to sources at Vasco Police, Muslim leaders on Thursday were warned not to cause any hindrance while conducting the panchanama of the cleric’s house.
PI Sagar Ekoskar said the panchanama was conducted with the help of Auda Viegas of Bailancho Ekvott in the presence of the cleric’s wife, the victim and her mother.
“There was zero resistance from the cleric’s supporters, as they were warned not to hamper the investigation process,” said PI Ekoskar.
Sources at Vasco Police station told The Goan that the police first approached Celsa Antao of Desterro Eves to assist the police in their investigation. Since Antao refused, they had to approach Viegas.
It may be recalled that on Tuesday, Vasco Police had sought the assistance of Tara Kerkar of Savera to assist them in investigation process of the cleric’s house, which was objected by some Muslims who were supporting the cleric.
As the Muslim supporters were averse to Kerkar’s involvement in the case, Vasco Police sought the service of Viegas.
