THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
PANJIM: Even as cabinet minister Vishwajit Rane urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to quash FIR against the anti-IIT protestors at Melauli, Goa Police continues with investigation against the 23 attempt to murder accused.
On Tuesday, Rane had issued a statement seeking to shift the proposed IIT project from Melauli to an alternate location while he also demanded that government withdraw the criminal case registered against the locals.
Herald has learnt that the department is awaiting a formal communication from the government pending which it has decided to not hamper the ongoing investigation.
“We have not received any communiqué from the government to withdraw the FIR. It is however not up to the department to revoke cases against the accused. The court will decide since it is a serious criminal offence, and a registered FIR. Until then, investigation into the incident is not being interfered,” said an official, speaking to Herald.
Three accused Vishwesh Prabhu, Shailendra Velingkar and Kalpesh Gaonkar were just recently released on conditional bail. Around 18 suspects had approached the Principal Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail, which has been granted on a condition not to enter Melauli village for two months and to report to the Investigating Officer till January 18.
