MARGAO
Even as GCA is back in the news over alleged financial irregularities involving President Chetan Desai, Secretary Vinod Phadke and treasurer Akbar Mulla, The Goan has found out that it may take a couple of years more for the trial to finally come to an end.
Consider this: Though the full-fledged trial in the case began in 2013 -- after the case was stuck in High court for close to half-a-decade -- the prosecution could manage to examine only 42 out of the whopping 220 witnesses in the sensational case during the last three years.
The prosecution, now, has an arduous task at hand to examine the remaining 180 witnesses, though it is now toying with the idea of examining only around 100 crucial witnesses in support of its case. The trial, which is conducted every Thursday before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, is stuck with the whereabouts of witnesses remaining unknown, many of whom are from Karnataka and Maharashtra, who had come to witness the India-Australia 2001 ODI match at Nehru stadium, Fatorda.
Says Special Public Prosecutor, Adv Pritam Moraes: “The Prosecution has so far examined around 42 witnesses during the last three years. Though around 180 witnesses are still to be examined, we now intend to examine only the crucial witnesses, around 100 in number”.
Sources in the know, however, said that with the trial being conducted on a weekly basis and the availability of witnesses a matter of concern, it may take another 2-3 years for curtains to come down on the sensational case.
Adv Pritam said the availability of witnesses have come in the way of smooth conduct of the trial. “Summons sent to witnesses for deposition come back with reports that they are either not available, or have shifted their place of residence or have gone abroad for the purpose of employment”, he said.
Sources in the know said even the police machinery has lost interest in the trial over a period of time. While the investigation officer, PI Umesh Gaonkar is now the Superintendent of police, North Goa, sources said there’s no dedicated police officer or personnel in place to coordinate with the prosecution vis-Ã -vis the case, especially on the question of identifying and calling the witnesses for examination.
The 2001 April 6 ODI match between Australia and India had hit the headlines after cricket fans with genuine tickets were left stranded outside the Nehru stadium, Fatorda.
