PANJIM: After a delay of 14 months the trial in the 2014 Panjim sword attack case commenced on Wednesday. Panjim Police had filed a charg sheet against Zaine Almeida in July 2014.
Zaine and his father Steve Almeida, who runs a security service, were present in the court. The case was adjourned for Thursday afternoon after one witness was examined.
The incident occurred at around 05.30 am on April 20 and Almeida is accused of attacking Raju Sarin and Rafael Da Costa outside a city pub with a sword which was in his car. Almeida and the two victims, along with other friends, were partying in the pub and the attack occurred over some comments that were passed. Almeida had been arrested the same day.
Sarin and Costa are still recovering from their injuries. Da Costa has lost an eye and both just about survived the attack.
Zaine has been charged under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the IPC. The court will examine 42 witnesses in the case. All have been summoned on various dates to depose before the court.
Panjim Police have not been able to trace the weapon used in the attack despite a thorough search. The Section for destroying evidence was added after repeated attempts to trace the weapon that was allegedly thrown in the river went futile.
