MARGAO
Guess how many witnesses were examined by the Special Court in the Power rebate scam allegedly involving former Power Minister Mauvin Godinho when trial resumed in the court on Friday.
Well, of the seven witnesses who were issued summons by the Court, the prosecution has filed a report in the court stating that one of the witnesses has expired, while another witness was unable to attend the hearing as he has shifted to Pune-Maharashtra.
The Prosecution has further submitted to the Court that summons send to three witnesses have returned back saying the trio were not found at the given address.
A report was also filed regarding another witness wherein it was stated that the witness is bed ridden and is undergoing treatment at Kolhapur in Maharashtra.
This is not the first time that trial in the infamous power rebate scam has hit a block with the witnesses unable for examination, indicating that the over two decade old case has begun to take a toll on the witnesses.
Left with no option, the Court has ordered issuance of fresh summons to three of these witnesses returnable on December 15. Incidentally, one of the accused persons has expired during the pendency of the trial.
Ever since trial in the alleged power rebate scam was transferred to the South Goa Sessions Court, special Judge Irshad Agha has been conducting trial of the case on a weekly basis in a bid to expedite the case.
