PANAJI
In a bizarre twist to Siddiqui Suleman Khan's escape saga, the accused had applied for bail about 48 hours before fleeing police custody. The bail plea, ironically, assured the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa that he would not abscond if granted bail.
Filed on December 11 through Advocate Amit Palekar and Associates, the plea filed in response to Mapusa land grab case was scheduled for hearing on December 13. The JMFC issued notices to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) (Land Grab) and the Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP), Mapusa but the accused fled from lock-up hours before the hearing around 10 am.
The JMFC heard the matter in his absence and reserved the order for Tuesday.
Incidentally, Advocate Palekar was the first to receive the pen drive containing Suleman’s video, which surfaced after he escaped to the neighbouring state.
In his application, copy of which is in possession of The Goan, Suleman claimed innocence stating he was falsely implicated. He assured the Court that he would comply with all conditions, not tamper with evidence and would stand trial to prove his innocence.
“He is innocent and that he has not committed any offense as alleged against him or otherwise. The applicant states that he has been falsely implicated/arraigned in the matter and he has no connection of whatsoever nature with the alleged offense,” the application by his advocate stated.
