MARGAO
The APP made the submission after the court had at the last date of hearing directed the prosecution to justify the decision to withdraw the case. “There was public outcry among the Christian community of Velim village against the raid conducted by the flying squad of the Election Commission at the place of residence of their religious head, the parish priest, which is located within the Church complex. As the people were already outraged by the raid, the subsequent visit by PSI Kapil Nayak and his staff during late evening hours at the residence of the priest infuriated the people leading to the present incident,” the APP further said in her written submission. Incidentally, Judge Prabhudesai asked the APP to ascertain the number of victims in the violent incident so that summons could be issued to all of them to appear before the court and give their say on the prosecution s application for withdrawal of the case. At the last date of hearing, the court had issued summons to PSI Kapil Nayak, besides PC Kuldip Desai and Krishnanand Rane to appear before it on Monday. However, only PC Kuldip and PC Rane appeared before the court, while PSI Kapil sent a wireless message expressing his inability to make it to the court today. Both PC Kuldip and PC Rane have been told to give their say in writing at the next date of hearing. Meanwhile, former Velim parish priest Fr Romano Gonsalves, who is an accused in the case, was granted exemption from appearance in court after he made an application stating he will be out of the country.The matter will now come up for hearing on August 12.
