MARGAO: All the four social activists, accused in the November 2020 Chandor protest against the double-tracking of railways case pleaded not guilty, as Judicial Magistrate Ankita Nagvenkar explained to them the substance of the accusation on Wednesday during the court hearing.
Speaking to Herald after the court hearing, the four activists have also stated that it is up to the government to decide upon for whom the government is for, taking serious note of no movement from the government side pertaining to withdrawing the cases filed against them, despite verdict from the Supreme Court.
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These activists want the political leaders, now elected as MLAs and who were part of the protest, to raise the issue in the forthcoming assembly session.
On Wednesday the above case came up for the hearing before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Margao. All four social activists Abhijit Prabhudesai, Daina Travares, Freddy Travaso and Vikas Bhagat appeared in the court. They were represented by the lawyer Stanley Rodrigues. The Public Prosecutor of Railway Police seeks exemption.
All the four activists have been booked by the Railway Police Force under Sections 146, 147, and 174 (a) of the Railway Act, 1989, Amendment Act-2003. The Judicial Magistrate explained the substance of the accusation to all activists. However, they pleaded not guilty.
Speaking to media persons after the court hearing, Rodrigues said that now the trial will commence and witnesses will be examined.
“Today, it was more of a procedural matter and the substance of the accusation was explained to all the four accused, and for which they pleaded not guilty. The matter is not kept for evidence,” said Rodrigues.
Prabhudesai said that they want to question the government as to whom are they for.
“Is this government for Goa, Goan people or for coal corporate? We have done and will do the constitutional exercise to protect our land and our people. We are not afraid of cases. But the government needs to question itself as to whom they are working for?” he questioned.
Travaso, another social activist accused in the case, challenged the political leaders, who were also part of the agitation and now elected as MLAs to raise their voices in the forthcoming assembly session.
“Those political leaders were very much a parcel of protest held in November 2020. Many of them are now elected as MLAs, so now it is their duty to raise the issue of double-tracking and also with regard to withdrawing the cases filed,” he appealed.
Now, the next hearing will be held on July 15, wherein the witnesses in the case will be examined.
