MAPUSA
The Additional Sessions Court, Mapusa on Monday declined to take up the trial in the Panaji police station attack case against the Monserrate couple and the other accused as the High Court was to pass order on the petitions seeking quashing of the proceedings in the case.
Revenue Minister, Jennifer Monserrate and most of the other accused were present in the court except for Panaji MLA Anatasio (Babush) Monserrate.
Adv Nitin Sardessai, who is defending the Monseratte couple, informed that the Additional Sessions Judge declined to take up the case as the matter was before the High Court.
“The Additional Sessions Court will issue fresh notices to the accused depending on what is the result of the High Court,” Sardessai said.
It may be recalled, last week, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had reserved the order on the petitions filed by the Monserrates and other accused seeking quashing of the proceedings in the case as there was no material to frame a charge against them.
“If the High Court finds favour with them (accused) then there is no question they being told to appear before the Additional Sessions Court. But if the High Court is against us then all the accused will have to appear here,” the defence lawyer said.
The Additional Session Court Mapusa court had issued notices to the Monserrate couple and 35 other accused to remain present in the court on Dec 6 in connection with the 2008 Panaji police station attack case trial.
In February 2008, Babush Monserrate, then MLA of Taleigao had led a morcha before the Panaji police station demanding the release of his supporter, who had allegedly been roughed up by the cops inside the lockup, had turned violent.
The CBI had chargesheeted the Monserrates and others in the case.
Meanwhile, Adv Aires Rodrigues has said that he would move an application to assist the Prosecution in the case involving a crime against the State to ensure that the Monserrates do not manipulate the trial which has to be free and fair in accordance with the law.
