3 face NBW in Margao swords seizure case

3 face NBW in Margao swords seizure case
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 24
The Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Wednesday issued non-bailable warrant of arrest against three accused in the sensational Moti Dongor swords seizure case.
The court issued the arrest warrants after the three accused were conspicuous by their absence in the court room when the matter came up for hearing this morning.
The court had reserved orders on the framing of charge against the nine accused charged by the Margao police for procuring the swords with the intention of fomenting communal tension in the city.
Incidentally, it is now more than two years since the swords were seized by the Margao police from an abandoned truck on Moti Dongor – days after the city was rocked by communal violence.
Trial in the sensational case is yet to commence till date after the police delayed for more than a year to file the charge sheet in the court for want of government sanction under section 153-A of the IPC to prosecute the accused persons.
The case had hit the headlines and had caused embarrassment to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat as the seizure came not just days after the communal violence in the sensitive Rumdamol housing board and in Margao, but were seized from Moti Dongor considered the stronghold of the Chief Minster.
Moreover, some of the accused charged by the Margao police happened to be the supporters of the Chief Minister.
Court sources said the court has adjourned the case next month.