TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Rudolf, Merces panch deny charges
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 15
Casting aspersions on police investigation into gang rivalry that left one dead and three seriously injured at Siridao on May 10, sister of the accused Zenito Cardozo has alleged the involvement of Rudolf Fernandes, son of the St Cruz MLA.
Speaking to media at a city hotel on Friday here Cynthia Cardozo said her brother Zenito has not done anything, there was no weapon on him but has been simply implicated and the police are deliberately derailing the investigation.
Zenito has suffered injuries in the gang fight, is currently undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. According to her, there are many eyewitnesses to the incident, but they are allegedly threatened by the police from telephone No 0832221800, and this can be verified from mobile operators, she said.
�My brother defended himself or otherwise he would have been lynched to death by notorious goondas Francis D�Souza alias Miranda, Prakash Naik alias Pokka and his henchmen,� she charged.
Demanding that investigation of the case be given to Crime Branch or CBI, she has made letters to Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary to press her demand.
Old Goa correspondent adds:denying the allegations leveled against him, Rudolf said that it was done by some vested interests to tarnish his image.
�Most of them know that I have started to take up developmental works in Santa Cruz constituency. I have nothing to do with the matter,� added Rudolf.
Meanwhile, Merces Panch Prakash Naik has denied allegations leveled against him by Cynthia Cardozo, Zenito�s sister, that he along with Rudolf Fernandes was the mastermind behind the alleged brutal assault on her brother.
It may be recalled that Cynthia in a press conference had stated that Naik along with Rudolf was behind the alleged attack on Zenito, which Naik denied stating that it was just a political move to tarnish their image.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Merces on Friday, Naik said though he has not received any police intimation of him being involved in the incident, he was ready to cooperate with the police.
�I have full faith in the judiciary and whatever way the police officials takes, I will abide by it as I am not involved in the incident in any way,� said Naik.
�My only part in the incident was that I had taken Miranda D�Souza to GMC Hospital after the fight that took between Miranda and Zenito,� added Naik.
Naik further said that he did not know anything about the enmity between Zenito and Miranda, if they had.
When asked if he had called up Rudolf in the middle of the incident, which Cynthia had stated in her press conference, Naik said that there was no question of calling up Rudolf. �I often go to the MLA�s house with regard to developmental works in my ward and there is no time to discuss about this matter,� added Naik.
