MARGAO: The 21 accused in the Balli riots case of May 2010 have been acquitted of all charges as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) advocate failed to establish the allegations against any of them. The trial lasted over three-and-a-half years.
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, United Tribals Association Alliance (UTAA) President Prakash Velip, Govind Gawade and others were facing charges of rioting, criminal trespassing and destruction of public and government property. The surety bond of the accused will remain in force for six months.
“For four long years, all of us were going through hardships and now it has ended. We are all happy,” said Sawaikar, while Velip stated, “I believe in the goddess of justice and knew she would get us out of this.”
Defense lawyer Shailendra Bhobhe had submitted his written rebuttal weeks ago, after which Principal District and Sessions Judge Vincent D’Silva pronounced the order on Saturday. The judge had also pulled the CBI up for naming UTAA in the case without having any substantial evidence that its members were involved in the crime. The case was extensively argued in the beginning of November.
Ramesh Tawadkar, Prakash Velip, Prakash Arjun Velip, Former Sanguem MLA Vasudev Meng Gaonkar, Govind Gawade, Vikas Deikar, Malu Velip, Soiru Velip, Savita Tawadkar, Narendra Sawaikar and several others were facing trial under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 435, 436, 322, 188, 324, and 149 of IPC.
