In a major development in the brutal assault case of social activist Rama Kankonkar, the Panjim Police have filed a 1,371-page chargesheet against prime ac cused Zenito Cardozo and seven others. The chargesheet, submitted to the North Goa District and Sessions Court, is based on statements recorded from 49 witnesses and includes 32 muddemal articles. North Goa SP Rahul Gupta confirmed the development, stating that the accused have been chargesheeted by investigating officer Sudesh Naik, SDPO, Panjim, under sections 126(1), 109, 351(3), 238, 111 read with 3(5) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Sections 3(1)(a), 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) and 3(2)(v). “All eight accused who were arrested have been chargesheeted and are current ly in judicial custody. The chargesheet runs into 1,371 pages, supported by 49 witness es and 32 muddemals. We have filed the chargesheet within 60 days as mandated by law. We have also applied to the court to continue further investigation in this case,” SP Gupta said in a statement. The assault on Kankonkar had triggered widespread condemnation from activists and civil society groups, who had demanded swift action and strict charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. The filing of the chargesheet marks a significant procedural step as the case progresses toward trial. According to the chargesheet, during the investigation, accused Francis Nadar revealed that he and his associates assaulted Rama Kankonkar with cable wires and smeared cow dung on his face, as part of a conspiracy hatched due to personal grudge and online mockery. The plan was coordinated by Zenito Cardozo, who tracked Rama’s movement and communicated via WhatsApp, the chargesheet added. Last week, the local court had extended the judicial cus tody of Zenito Cardozo and seven others in connection with the assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar for another 14 days. The case will next be heard on November 26, 2025, with the court directing the investigating police to file the chargesheet by November 18. Cardozo, who was arrested on September 22, faces charges under Sections 126(2), 109, and 351(3) read with Section 61 of the BharatiyaN yayaSanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Earlier, on October 31, the Merces court had similarly extended the judicial custody of the accused for 14 days as the investigation continued. The accused were once again produced before the court on Thursday after the expiry of their previous remand period. After reviewing the pro gress of the probe, the court granted an extension to facili tate further investigation. The special court at Merces had earlier rejected the bail plea of Cardozo on October 18, citing the seriousness of the charges. Cardozo, a known history-sheeter, was arrested after his name surfaced during the interrogation of other accused persons held by the Panjim Police in connection with the broad daylight assault on Kankonkar at Caranza lem on September 18, 2025
Panjim Police File 1,371-Page Chargesheet in Rama Kankonkar Assault Case; Eight Accused in Custody
