MARGAO
The fate of the anticipatory bail application of Konkani writer and thinker Datta Damodar Naik will be known on Friday, even as the Canacona Police have sought custody of the Margao-based businessman to, as the men in uniform have called it, carry out an effective investigation, collect more evidence in the case, and take the case to its logical conclusion.
The South Goa Sessions Court has reserved its order on Datta’s bail plea for Friday but did not provide relief in terms of interim bail during the pendency of the proceedings. This assumes significance given that Datta has been issued a notice under section 35(3) of BNSS 2023 to remain present for investigation at Canacona Police Station on January 10 at 11:00 hrs, while the Court is expected to give its order on the anticipatory bail application on Friday evening.
During arguments in the matter on Thursday, the Canacona Police vehemently opposed the anticipatory bail plea, stating that the presence of the applicant is required at the police station to ascertain the reason and motive behind the utterances he made against temples and mutts.
Filing its reply to Datta’s anticipatory bail application, the police submitted that there is a tense law and order situation in every part of Goa due to the alleged malicious act of the applicant.
“If the applicant/accused is released on anticipatory bail, there is every possibility that he might commit similar offences in the future,” the police stated in their reply, adding that there is a likelihood the applicant/accused might threaten the witnesses in the case, causing them to turn hostile, which would weaken the prosecution's case and hamper the investigation.
Datta’s lawyer, Adv Cleofato Coutinho Almeida, stated that there was no malice or intent on the part of the applicant to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. This can be seen in the fact that even before the FIR was registered, upon learning of the complaint filed by Satish Vankatesh Bhat, the applicant issued a clarification and ensured that it was published on the front page of a Marathi daily with a wide circulation, particularly in the Canacona belt.
Datta had moved the South Goa Sessions Court for anticipatory bail after Canacona police registered an FIR under section 299 of BNSS 2023 based on the complaint of Satish Bhat from Partagal-Poinguinim, concerning his utterances against temples and mutts.
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Cong leader questions police intent
Congress leader Girish Chodankar has voiced his apprehension regarding the current priorities of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Goa Police, asserting that the Datta Naik matter has taken precedence over more crucial State issues.
Chodankar emphasised that the Goa Police appear to be more engrossed in the Datta Naik affair while neglecting the alarming prevalence of various criminal syndicates, including the jobs-for-cash mafia, corruption mafia, land conversion mafia, drug mafia, and the land-grab mafia.
Chodankar criticised the constabulary's apparent reluctance to investigate and implement decisive measures against these criminal networks, which pose substantial threats to the sanctity of the Goan community.
He further pointed out that hundreds of serious grievances remain pending with the police, awaiting proper investigation. “This procrastination in addressing vital issues undermines public confidence in law enforcement and questions their dedication to maintaining justice,” he said, urging the Goa Police to redirect their endeavours and resources towards addressing these pressing concerns, ensuring that the safety and welfare of Goans remain paramount.
