MARGAO
A candidate contesting the ensuing election for the Rumdamol village panchayat Umram Pathan was arrested late night by the Margao police on a complaint that he had uploaded a post allegedly directed at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
After the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Tuesday evening granted bail with conditions, Umram told the media that he has been falsely implicated by the police at the behest of his rivals in the fray.
Without taking the name of any other candidate or leaders, Umram said those who dreamt of contesting the Assembly polls are now contesting the panchayat election, adding “this case against me has been filed by the police without any basis fearing that I will win the ensuing panchayat polls”.
He added: “I do not want to take the names of those responsible for arresting me in this false case. The whole of Goa knows who wanted to contest the Assembly election and who is now in the fray for the Panchayat polls. One does not become a minority leader just like that. You have to work for the designation.”
While releasing the accused on a bail bond of Rs 15,000 with one surety, the JMFC has directed the accused not to comment any offense similar to the offense which he is accused or suspect and should not leave the country with the permission of the court and should not directly or indirectly induce any person connected with the facts of the case.
The Margao police had arrested Umran Pathan under section 153-A of the IPC late Monday night
following a complaint lodged by Narendra Naik, accusing him for uploading post against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, calling him Pappu, a RSS agent and for posing a comment on Shivaji Maharaj with a view to create tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
Umram’s lawyer, however, pointed out that the Margao police did not make out any case against his client, adding that it was a clear attempt to silence the candidate just because he is contesting the Panchayat polls.
A large number of Umran’s supporters had assembled outside the Margao police station since late last night. He was greeted with flower bouquets by the supporters after his release on bail.
