Team Herald
PANJIM: Politically-connected history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo has been charged with recruiting youth to commit crimes while his involvement in the St Cruz shootout case has emerged. The police on the lookout for him have also accused him of being an undercover accused.
In its submission to the court opposing anticipatory bail plea, the investigation team has alleged that Zenito is politically protected to fearlessly carry out his criminal activities.
“Applicant accused (Zenito) is also politically well connected and hence feels encouraged and protected to carry on with his criminal activities unabated. There’s every apprehension that the applicant shall use muscle power and pressure tactics to intimidate and threaten the complainant and witnesses (in the St Cruz shootout),” reads an extract of the submission made before the Sessions Judge-1, available with Herald.
Zenito had applied for anticipatory bail on Sunday, after police made futile attempts to reach out to him last week. His plea has been adjourned for the third time on Wednesday with next hearing slated on July 8.
Interrogation of the arrested accused has spilled the beans on the manner in which Zenito has been carrying out his criminal activities. The claim is also that Zenito’s gang ‘Bang Bang’ had allegedly indirectly bribed two youngsters to “finish” Imran Bepari, who operated his group named ‘Boom Boom.’
“Francis Nadar alias Franky, Anthony Nadar and Sunny D’Souza confessed to the police that Anthony is a close associate of Zenito. “Zenito operates the Bang Bang gang and encourages young boys to be a part of his gang and indulges them into criminal offences,” the police said, adding “Zenito had given a donation of Rs 10,000 to Anthony Nadar and Franky Nadar for the purpose of organizing football tournament and in turn told them to take revenge on Imran Bepari and his group and finish the gang (Boom Boom) operated by Imran.”
Sources also revealed that the jailed accused told the police that Imran and his gang had recently attacked Anthony. A First Information Report for attempted murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code were registered in this regard.
Zenito, who has a series of cases pending against him, has been trying to evade the eyes of the law. Police have said that he cuts communication with his own gang members after commission of a crime. “He recruits innocent youngsters… mostly teenagers. These youngsters are recruited through his associates presently arrested in this crime to commit the offences. Zenito takes due precaution of not remaining in contact with the members through his mobile communication so that his involvement in the crimes is concealed. The members are encouraged to commit serious crimes and to create fear of safety in the minds of the locals,” the police said.
Seeking his custody in the St Cruz shootout that killed one from the Boom Boom gang, police said complainant Imran’s life could be under serious threat if Zenito is not arrested.