Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has dismissed the appeal of Zenito Cardozo in the 2009 Siridao beach case, which left two men dead, and directed him to surrender before the Sessions Court by November 10. Cardozo had earlier been convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The tragic incident took place in May 2009, when rival groups clashed at a shack on Siridao beach following heated arguments. Cardozo, along with associates Mahavir Nadar and Domnic Nazareth, allegedly attacked members of the opposing group using glass bottles and knives. Santosh Kalel of Zuarinagar died on the spot, while Johnny Fernandes of St. Cruz succumbed to injuries at Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
Agacaim police had registered murder charges against Cardozo and his associates for Kalel’s death and cases of attempted murder against Fernandes and other unidentified persons involved in the attack.
In its judgment, the court acquitted Nadar and Nazareth of all charges and discharged Cardozo of murder. However, he was found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, with the court noting that the killings were not premeditated but occurred in the heat of the moment.
The Additional Sessions Court, under Judge Vijaya Pol, had sentenced Cardozo to three years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 304(II) for the deaths, and an additional three years under Section 326, along with a fine of ₹10,000.
