CANACONA
The District and Sessions Court at Margao on Friday stayed the conviction of former minister and BJP State Vice-President Ramesh Tawadkar in a criminal case.
It may be recalled the Canacona Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) had recently convicted Tawadkar in a criminal case filed by a resident of Cotigao in 2017.
Puno Velip of Cotigao had filed a case of wrongful restraint, assault, use of force and criminal intimidation with a threat to kill against Tawadkar, who was then minister for sports, agriculture and tribal welfare. Tawadkar later filed an appeal before the District and Sessions Court at Margao through Adv Dharmanand Vernekar.
“The Learned Trial Court at Canacona had convicted Tawadkar under Sections 352 and 506(ii) of IPC,” said Adv Vernekar.
“The District and Sessions Court at Margao while staying the order of the JMFC, Canacona, has called for records and proceedings of the Canacona court and listed the appeal on December 23 for arguments.”
Alleging vendetta by his political opponents, Tawadkar claimed around four criminal cases had been filed against him with a view to defeat him politically.
While three cases had gone in his favour, he got convicted in one case whereby JMFC convicted him to undergo jail till rising of the Court and fines of Rs 15,500. Tawadkar, however, preferred to file an appeal in the sessions court.
