The Mapusa court has ordered that charges be framed against Nigel Fonseca, one of the three accused in the 2023 case of alleged vandalism of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue near IDC Karaswada, which had triggered widespread public outrage.
While the court found sufficient evidence to proceed against Nigel, it discharged co-accused Alex and Lawrence, citing lack of material linking them to the offence. The court observed that there was nothing on record to indicate their involvement in the alleged act of vandalism.
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According to the prosecution, eyewitness Chandan told police that the trio had been consuming alcohol near the statue when they began abusing him and allegedly pelted a stone at the statue, causing damage. The court noted that the statements on record prima facie suggest it was Nigel who threw the stone, leading to the defacement of the statue.
Nigel has been booked under provisions related to hurting public sentiments and disturbing communal harmony.
The case, which had stirred strong emotions across the state last year, will now proceed to trial following the court’s order.
