Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa took suo motu cognisance of the alleged assault on a High Court advocate and his elderly client in Morjim, directing the Superintendent of Police (North) to personally supervise the investigation and ensure a comprehensive inquiry.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Hiten Venegavkar instructed the SP (North) to guide the Investigating Officer, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), and the investigation team throughout the probe.
During the proceedings, the Bench noted that the FIR registered so far does not include a charge of attempt to murder. The Court directed the police to carefully examine the advocate’s medical records and assess whether the injuries justify invoking Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with attempt to murder.
The Bench observed that the final decision should be taken by the investigating team under the guidance of the SP after evaluating all available evidence.
The Court also sought a compliance report from the concerned authorities on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) issues linked to the matter. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on Tuesday at 2.30 pm.
The incident relates to the alleged assault on advocate Ankur Kumar, 32, and his 75-year-old client, Anil Naik, at Tembwada in Morjim on Friday. The alleged attack reportedly followed a dispute over the implementation of a demolition order connected to a contempt petition filed by Naik.
Counter-Complaint Filed
In a fresh development, one of the accused, Dilip Morje, has approached the Mandrem Police Station with a counter-complaint against advocate Ankur Kumar.
Morje alleged that the advocate attempted to hit his daughter with a vehicle and threatened her. According to the complaint, the woman was walking home when the advocate allegedly drove his vehicle towards her.
She claimed she narrowly escaped being run over after someone pulled her away in time and said the incident has left her deeply traumatised.
Police are now expected to investigate both the assault allegations and the counter-complaint while the High Court continues to closely monitor the progress of the case.
