PANAJI
Court proceedings in the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) had to be deferred when the staff noticed that cupboards in the evidence room were broken and muddemal property -- sealed envelopes containing cash and gold -- went missing.
The theft reported on Wednesday morning, triggered panic as lawyers and litigants inquired if evidence pertaining to their respective cases were safe. The suspected thief has been identified through CCTV footage even as he is yet to be traced to face penal action.
“We are working on certain clues to trace the whereabouts of the accused and arrest him. Statements of all the concerned persons are also being recorded,” Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Nidhin Valsan told The Goan.
With the incident indicating that thieves are openly challenging security around the Court premises, police suspect the unknown accused could have targeted the evidence room to wipe out evidence of selective cases.
“It is a case of theft where cash and gold are missing, as per the investigation so far. But, we also cannot rule out the possibility that the accused or someone else, for whom he might be operating, could be involved in crime and the theft was to wipe out evidence. The investigation is underway to ascertain if other evidence including case papers have also been stolen,” an officer said.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the accused, impersonating a lawyer and seen carrying a bag, entered the premises on Tuesday evening, minutes before the Court closed for the day. The CCTV cameras showed he did not exit the premises until the next morning with the booty.
The guards including the security personnel of the Goa Human Resource Development have come under the scanner for negligence.
