Accused denies link; activist flags evidence tampering concerns; court adjourned
PANAJI
The ongoing hearing into the September 18 assault on activist Rama Kankonkar witnessed strong arguments from both sides on Friday as the Sessions Court heard the bail plea of eight accused Zenito Cardozo in the case.
Advocate Michael Nazareth, representing Cardozo, questioned the attempt to link his client to the incident while emphasising that Kankonkar’s own statement to the Panaji police does not implicate Cardozo.
“How can past history be related to this case of the September 18 assault? Rama Kankonkar has given his statement about the attack on him but he never mentioned Cardozo’s name in it,” Nazareth argued. He further stated that the defence refrained from seeking anticipatory bail earlier as they were confident that the truth would emerge from the activist’s statement.
“If we wanted, we could have applied for anticipatory bail but we did not because we knew he would speak the truth. We waited for Rama’s statement to see if he linked Zenito to the case but he didn’t,” Nazareth added.
However, advocate Shane Gomes, appearing for Kankonkar who filed an intervention petition, alleging that Cardozo had already tampered with electronic evidence related to the case.
“If Cardozo was innocent then why did he delete his call records? This case does not rely solely on Kankonkar’s statement. Cardozo’s name has come up repeatedly during the interrogation,” Gomes submitted.
He further contended that the accused had deleted WhatsApp chats and call logs. He also expressed apprehensions that granting bail could lead to further interference in the investigation.
“He has already tampered with evidence by deleting WhatsApp chats and call logs. If granted bail, he may further tamper with evidence or even threaten witnesses whose statements have not yet been recorded,” Gomes argued adding, ‘Though the statement may not name the accused, Cardozo is in Goa and there is a fear... There have been instances wherein witnesses have changed statements out of fear. He has tampered with evidence too’.
The court has adjourned the hearing to October 18, at 11:30 am.
Meanwhile, Cardozo has moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa that upheld his conviction and three-year sentence for culpable homicide in the 2009 Siridao gang war case.
