MARGAO
Former Panaji police station in-charge, PI Sudesh Naik has submitted before the Special Court hearing the Panaji police station attack case that he had orally informed his higher-ups that his relations with then Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monserrate was not good.
During his cross examination by defence counsel, Adv Arun Braz D’Sa in the Court of Special Judge Irshad Agha, PI Sudesh, who now heads the Panaji police sub-division as the DySP, further said he did not have any professional differences with the Police Inspector Serafino Dias.
When Adv Arun Braz questioned him on what basis he had stated that PI Serafino was in good books with Monserrate, PI Sudesh maintained that it was his perception that PI Serafino and Monserrate were in good books. He, however, pointed out that he had no occasion to make any complaint to the higher ups including then Sub-divisional Police officer, Panaji, DySP Mohan Naik that PI Serafino was in good books with Monserrate.
To a question whether he had communicated in writing that his relations with MLA Monserrate were not good, PI Sudesh replied that he had orally communicated to his superiors over the MLA’s interference. He, however, said the MLA’s interference was not mentioned in the police station dairy or any written communication was sent to the police higher ups.
When he was questioned whether he had received any written instructions to maintain law and order, PI Sudesh said there were no written instructions, but hastened to add that he had received oral instructions from DySP Mohan Naik and then North Goa Superintendent of police.
Adv. Arun Braz also questioned the Police officer how he had concluded whether an accused in a separate crime was a support of MLA Monserrate, PI Sudesh said he cannot reveal the source of the information.
When further questioned how the police officer reached the conclusion that accused involved in a gambling raid at St Inez were supporters of the MLA, PI Sudesh maintained that it was based on information received by him. While saying he had no occasion to record the information in the case diary, PI Sudesh submitted that he cannot disclose the name of the informant.
Cross examination of PI Sudesh Naik will continue at the next date of hearing on September 15.
