MARGAO
Then Panaji police station in-charge, PI Sudesh Naik has submitted before the South Goa Sessions Court conducting trial in the Panaji police station attack in 2008 that the then Taleigao MLA and incumbent Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate was trying to destabilise the Congress-led coalition government by opposing the government projects.
Sudesh Naik, who is now holding the charge of Panaji police sub-division as the DySP, further told the court during his deposition that his relations with Monserrate were not good due to the MLAs interference in the police working. Sudesh, however, told the court that Monserrate’s relationship with his predecessor, then PI Serafino Dias was good. In fact, Sudesh submitted before the court that his predecessor PI Dias was in good books with Monserrate.
DySP Sudesh was on Friday examined by the South Goa Sessions Court, which has been designated by the High Court to try all criminal cases against politicians. Sudesh was the in-charge of the Panaji police station when the Panaji police station attack took place in 2008. The case was later investigated and chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigations.
To a question put up by the CBI lawyer on his relationship with MLA Monserrate as the in-charge of the Panaji police station, DySP Sudesh was clear cut in saying, “My relationship with the MLA was not good due to his interference in the police work.”
The then Panaji police station in-charge submitted before Sessions Judge Irshad Agha that Monserrate was working against the government. He said the MLA was trying to destablise the coalition government by opposing government projects.
In his deposition, Sudesh further submitted that the Goa Pradesh Youth Congress had organised a rally in Taleigao in support of the Rajiv Gandhi IT hub, but was attacked by supporters of the Taleigao MLA, adding that the police had booked criminal cases including the case under Section 307 of the IPC against those involved in attacking the youth Congress workers.
He also brought to the notice of the court the number of criminal cases registered against certain persons. This is the first time that DySP Sudesh Naik has deposed before the Sessions Court in connection with the Panaji police station attack case. His deposition will continue at the next date of hearing on March 17.
The court has examined then Panaji Station House officer, PI Tushar Lotlikar and has been cross examined by the defence lawyers.
Both Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate and Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate along with other accused persons charged in the case were present in the court room. The 37 accused persons have been charged under Section 143, 147, 148, 149, 153, 324, 325, 326, 332, 427, 435 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Court summons 6 witnesses in power rebate scam
MARGAO: The South Goa Sessions Court has on Friday issued summons to six witnesses in the Power rebate scam.
Power Minister Mauvin Godinho was conspicuous by his absence and the court later granted him exemption for today only. Former Chief Electrical Engineer T Nagarajan made his presence felt in the accused box.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday noon, the Public Prosecutor submitted that summons were inadvertently issued as per the first list of witnesses in which witnesses are already examined. Hence, the witnesses who remained present in the court were discharged by Sessions Judge Irshad Agha.
The court also cancelled the non-bailable warrants issued to two of the accused persons after their lawyers moved applications for cancellation.
Trial in the case will resume on March 17.
