MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The District and Sessions Court South Goa on Tuesday acquitted former minister Ramesh Tawadkar of charges under Section 505(2) and 352 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal intimidation and assault and use of criminal force.
Reacting to the acquittal, the former minister said his conviction as a criminal conspiracy hatched by some persons, who wanted to end his political career.
“However it is the moral support of my well-wishers and the tedious efforts of my advocate, who got me acquitted within two hearings of my appeal and I am indebted to them,” Tawadkar said while refusing to name the persons, who hatched the conspiracy against him and what action he would take against them.
It may be recalled that the lower court had convicted Tawadkar for assaulting Puno Velip in 2017, which the ex-minister said was planned only to ensure that his chances at the elections were jeopardised.
Tawadkar’s advocate Dharmesh Verenkar said, “The Sessions Court has dropped the charges that were framed against Ramesh Tawadkar and declared them to be null and void.”
He said, “It is now evident that not only the whole case was politically motivated but, even the witnesses examined in the case were the people politically connected, who had a grudge against him and wanted to terminate his political career.”
He said Tawadkar had to face an Income Tax raid around the same time, which was also aimed at damaging his reputation. However, he remained silent when it was pointed out that the then government was run by his party and refused to comment when asked whether his party colleagues schemed against him.
The appeal was argued before the 1st Additional Sessions Judge Edgar Fernandes.
