Cong leader says there was nothing much in questioning, alleges police acting under government pressure
Old Goa PSI Sudin Redkar questioning Congress leader Sunil Kauthankar, on Tuesday, over release of land grab accused Suleman's video.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Congress leader Sunil Kauthankar was quizzed for over two hours by the Old Goa police in connection with the release of the video of land grab accused Suleiman Siddiqui in which the accused made allegations that he was helped to escape by the police officials.
However, later speaking to reporters, Kauthankar informed that there was nothing much in the questioning as some information sought was irrelevant to the case.
"Questions relating to my family were asked which had nothing to do with the release of the video or its content," Kauthankar stated while adding that it appears that the police are conducting the investigation under pressure from the government.
Kauthankar further said that the police wanted to attach his mobile phone but he refused to handover as he is a witness in the case and not an accused.
"The video is shot by the land grab accused and not by me," Kauthankar said while raising apprehension whether the police wanted to get hands on the politically sensitive data on his phone.
"The police wanted to attach my mobile phone but I refused as there is politically sensitive data on my phone. I have asked the police to get court orders for attaching my phone as I am a witness in the case and not an accused," Kauthankar added.
Kawthankar then questioned the purpose of summoning him for questioning when the police officials and the MLA, mentioned in the video, should have been summoned.
"I got three different summons on a single day but those named in the video are yet to be summoned," Kauthankar quipped.
"Instead of summoning the persons whose names have been taken in the video, they have summoned me for having released the video which only goes to show that the police is acting on behalf of the government," he alleged.
Kauthankar then revealed that he had first informed the DGP about the video.
"After getting the video, the first thing I did was to contact the DGP and I told that I wanted to handover the same to the police. I had also informed him that I will provide the same to the media as well as the accused has made claims that he was helped in escaping from Crime Branch custody, and he had also named some police officials behind his escape.
"Also, he had named a ruling MLA who had assaulted him and warned of encounter if a property was not transferred in the MLA's name. My whole intention was that the truth should be put in public domain.
"DGP called me and informed that DIG Sharma would call me after which I received her call and was told that PI Deepak Vernekar would contact. I told the PI to contact me before 11 pm but the police didn't turn up after which I called DIG again and told her that I would provide the pen drive the next day.
"So, on Monday morning, I spoke to PI Vernekar and asked him to collect the same from Panaji.
"We met DGP and briefed him about the content in the video, while seeking action against those named in the video.
'My statement could have been taken that time itself as I along with others were present in the DGP's office till Monday afternoon. However to my surprise I got three summons, that too on WhatsApp, that I should appear before the Old Goa police station.
"As I could not appear on Monday, I have appeared today (Tuesday) and have provided all details that the police sought. However, some questions were asked to me which were in no way connected with the release of the video. This is nothing but targetting of the Opposition but we won't keep quiet and will continue to expose such illegal acts," Kawthankar said.
Meanwhile, leaders of Goa Forward, Trinamool Congress, AAP and Congress were present to extend their support to Kawthankar.
Those present included Vikas Bhagat, Samil Volvoikar, Valmiki Naik, Tulio D'Souza, Vishal Volvoikar and others.
