In criminal trials, witnesses usually fear to speak the truth. It is going to be all the more challenging in the infamous 2008 Panaji Police Station attack case with the main accused being currently a minister in the government with most witnesses being police officials. The fear of revenge and retribution would loom large. That a lawmaker chose to be a lawbreaker on that evening of February 19, 2008 left a very ugly scar on Goa. That attack on the police station was a very serious crime against the State. It was the first of its kind and may not be the last. Faith and trust in our democracy and in the rule of law would continue to erode if those accused of such nasty crimes do not feel the full force of the law. Goa’s Director General of Police should reassure all his staff that they would not be harassed with vengeance for standing by the truth. May God give every witness in this case the strength and conscience to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth without fear or favour while deposing in court.
