PANAJI
The Panaji police cited the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) alleged record of violating protest conditions and an incident in which a protester displayed a placard bearing the names of Umar Khalid, an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case, and others to justify denying the party permission to hold a demonstration.
In its submission before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the police referred to a July incident in which Mohammed Zanskar Danish, a Delhi resident, was allegedly found carrying a placard reading “Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Bhima Koregaon 16” and a shoulder bag bearing the words “Palestine will be free”. The police took him to the station for questioning, citing fears that the incident could trigger a law-and-order situation.
The affidavits were filed after the High Court questioned whether the detention of seven CJP protesters on Sunday was authorised, observing that no prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS were issued to ban gatherings at Azad Maidan.
Executive Magistrate DS Toraskar, in a separate submission to the Court, alleged that despite the deployment of police personnel, the protesters entered Azad Maidan. Their conduct and the prevailing situation led him to apprehend a possible confrontation and breach of peace, posing a threat to police personnel, protesters and members of the public. “At that stage, I was not aware of the individual intentions of the persons concerned. In the circumstances then prevailing, I considered it necessary to intervene to prevent any further confrontation. Accordingly, I orally instructed th e Police Inspector, Panaji Police Station, to detain the said persons and ascertain their identities and the reasons for their actions,” Toraskar said. He also cited a police report on the CJP’s July 25 protest seeking the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The report alleged that the group had violated conditions imposed for a peaceful demonstration, delivered inflammatory speeches that triggered protests by another pressure group, obstructed traffic and engaged in verbal altercations and the use of derogatory remarks. An FIR was registered against some protesters, the affidavit said.
The police said that on Sunday, the detainees were provided water and allowed to sit at the station. Describing them as “aggressive in nature and not co-operating”, the police alleged that they recorded videos inside the station for circulation. The affidavits said the protesters were asked to hand over their phones, which were returned when they were to be produced before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate at around 5 pm. The police also claimed that medical assistance was provided at the station after the detainees declined to go to hospital, including Listan Noronha, who had sustained an injury.
The affidavits were filed in response to a habeas corpus petition seeking the release of the seven protesters. The High Court will hear the petition again on October 19.
