Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Expressing complete displeasure towards the “lethargic” attitude of CBI in the infamous Panaji police station attack case, the Trial Court has decided to complete the trial within one year.
When the matter came up for hearing, the Court slammed CBI for failing to produce the original complaint copy of the case and also observed that there has been purpose delay.
The Court also observed that CBI is very lethargic in their action, which has delayed the hearing. The Court has now granted the last opportunity to CBI to produce the original complaint during the next hearing scheduled on December 2, failing which a fine will be imposed.
The accused, Minister Atanasio Monserrate and other Co-accused where present in the Court during the hearing.
The Monserrates, Tony Rodrigues and 35 others stand charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for having, on February 19, 2008, attacked and damaged the Panjim Police Station.
CBI, Mumbai had charge-sheeted Monserrate couple and 34 others under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 153, 324, 325, 326, 332, 333, 427 and 435 of IPC and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
High Court at Goa on December 22, in a 31 paged judgment, while dismissing the applications seeking quashing of the proceedings, directed that the trial should commence and be expedited as there was prima facie evidence against the accused.
Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate and Jennifer Monserrate are the main accused in the case, which has been pending in the High Court for the last seven years. If convicted, they could face a jail term of up to ten years.
The charge sheet against the Monserrates and 35 others were filed in 2014 by the CBI. One of the accused, Chandan Karapurkar, has since passed away.
