TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The South Goa Sessions Court has upheld the order of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao acquitting former deputy sarpanch of Seraulim Joaquim Dias, against whom a charge of assault was levelled by the former Seraulim panchayat secretary Hidayatulla Karim Shaikh.
In his order, Additional Sessions Judge Vincent D’Silva observed that there is nothing wrong in the findings of the Judicial Magistrate, adding that the prosecution has failed to prove that the accused had abused the panchayat secretary with filthy words, assaulted with punches, caught hold of his neck while discharging his duties. “No offence is made out under section 504, 353, 323 and 506 (ii) of the IPC. There is no error in appreciating the complaint as well as the evidence on record on the part of the Judicial Magistrate as there are material inconsistencies in the deposition of the witnesses raising a suspicion that the case as narrated by the complainant is false, afterthought and devoid of merits,” Judge D’Silva said, while dismissing the appeal.
The former Seraulim deputy sarpanch said he had maintained from day one that he was being falsely implicated by the builders’ lobby and politicians by conniving with the secretary as he was opposing illegal constructions in the village.
Working as the financial controller for an international brand of five star hotel in South Goa when he was charge sheeted in this case, Joaquim claimed that this false case has jeopardised his professional career and his overall image in the society.
