Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Mapusa has acquitted Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) President Manoj Parab, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, and other party members in connection with a 2020 protest concerning the proposed IIT project at Melauli.
The protest, held on September 3, 2020, involved around 200 people gathering outside the Guleli Village Panchayat office to seek information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Authorities had filed charges against the leaders, citing unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint of the Sarpanch, and use of offensive language aimed at the Chief Minister and Health Minister.
After reviewing the evidence, including witness accounts and video footage, Magistrate Puja Sardessai determined there was insufficient proof to support the allegations.
The court noted that no Panchayat member had formally complained about being restrained, and the police complaint was lodged by a sub-inspector without independent corroboration.
Observations also showed that protestors were unarmed and actively encouraged peaceful conduct.
Regarding allegations under Section 504 for intentional insult, the court highlighted the absence of specific details and the lack of complaints from the allegedly aggrieved parties themselves. Vague accusations were deemed insufficient for legal action.
Invoking Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, the court ruled the protest to be a lawful exercise of democratic rights.
As a result, all proceedings under Section 258 of the Criminal Procedure Code were dismissed, and the accused were formally discharged of all charges.
