With transfer of designated judge, questions raised over pending cases against politicians

MARGAO
South Goa Principal Sessions Judge, Irshad Agha stands transferred as the North Goa Principal and Sessions Judge, while his North Goa counterpart, Sessions Judge, Sherin Paul has been appointed as the new South Goa Principal Sessions Judge.

While the transfers are expected to take place when the courts re-open after vacation on June 10, lawyers and litigants keep their fingers crossed over the fate of the Sessions triable cases against politicians – whether the trial of the criminal cases against politicians will be transferred to the North Goa Sessions Court with the transfer of Judge Irshad Agha or whether the new Principal Sessions Judge Sherin Paul will continue to hear the pending criminal cases.

Two Ministers in the Goa Cabinet, Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate and Mauvin Godinho, besides Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate have been facing trial in the Sessions triable cases before the South Goa Sessions Court since February 2023. 

The Monserrate couple is facing trial in the Panaji police station attack case, while Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho is facing trial in the alleged Power rebate scam case. Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate is also facing trial in the alleged rape of minor girl.

In fact, the fate of the Sessions triable cases has become the talking point in the corridors of the South Goa Sessions building following the recent transfer orders issued by the High Court.

For, those in the know say that the High Court had appointed South Goa Principal Sessions Judge, Irshad Agha as the Judge designated by the High Court to hear and try all Sessions triable cases against politicians.

Sources in the know pointed out that the question over the trial of the criminal cases against politicians reportedly figured during the hearing of the ongoing criminal cases against the politicians before the South Goa Principal Sessions Judge.

Since there is no clarity on the matter, sources do not rule out the question going before the High Court to shed light whether Judge Irshad Agha will continue to hear the criminal cases against politicians even after his posting as North Goa Principal and Sessions judge or whether the new Judge Sherin Paul will conduct trial of the cases at the South Goa Sessions Court as and when she assumes charge as the Principal judge, South Goa.

Incidentally, the Panaji police station attack case was earlier tried by the North Goa Sessions Court, while the Power rebate case was heard by South Goa Additional Sessions Judge, Vincent D’Silva, before the High Court transferred both the cases along with the rape of the minor girl to the South Goa Principal Sessions Judge Irshad Agha.

Trial before Judge Irshad Agha had commenced in the month of February 2023 after the husband-wife duo of Revenue Minister, Atanasio Monserrate and Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate appeared before Judge Agha in the Panaji police station attack case. On the same day, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho appeared before the Principal Sessions Judge virtually in the Power scam case.

Incidentally, both Ministers Atanasio Monserrate and Mauvin Godinho along with Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate have been granted exemptions from appearing in the court for the hearings.