PANJIM, FEB 1
A social activist today alleged that Cipriano Fernandes was not bailed out when he died in Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Information procured by Jowett D’Souza under the Right to Information (RTI) Act shows that no bail application was filed on behalf of Cipriano and hence he was not granted bail.
“No bail was granted. Order was passed directing the police inspector/investigating officer, Panjim police station to release Cipriano Fernandes on execution of bond to maintain good behaviour during the pendancy of inquiry,” the reply letter by the Deputy Collector to Jowett reads.
Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Shabaji Shetye’s reply dated January 31 also states that Cipriano was not produced before him (SDM) as the latter was admitted in the GMC.
Shetye also added that granting bail to a person under preventive arrest does not arise as he cannot be detained beyond 24 hours.
Cipriano, 38-year-old Moira resident was on his two-month long vacation at his home town in Goa when he was picked up by the Panjim police on January 7 evening.
He was arrested under ‘preventive measure’ after his woman friend complained against him of threatening her with a knife at her Caranzalem house.
The Non-Resident Goan who was employed as second cook in European Cruise died on January 9 morning at GMCH with family members holding Panjim police responsible for his killing.
Meanwhile, Jowett has rubbished suspended police inspector Sandesh Chodankar’s allegations of hatching criminal conspiracy against his family.
On Sunday, Chodankar filed a complaint with the Panjim town police that two unknown person entered his house at Neugi Nagar on the pretext of repairing an electricity meter and started searching for him.
He suspected Kenneth Silveira of Vasco and Jowett D’Souza of Colva for hatching a criminal conspiracy either to harm him and his family or to plant evidence against him relating Cipriano’s death.
Police are investigating the case under sections 452 (criminal trespass) and 120-B (conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Counter alleging Chodankar’s statement, Kenneth – a crucial witness who claimed to have seen Cipriano being beaten up in the police station, and Cipriano’s paternal cousin Cosme said that they are constantly under police surveillance.
The twin suspect Chodankar of instructing his men at Panjim police station to keep a watch on them. Kenneth in his complaint to the Margao police station also said that he has been receiving threatening calls allegedly by the suspended inspector.
NGO Utt Goenkara has demanded transfer of the entire police staff at Panjim town police station and grant police protection to Jowett and Kenneth.
