Answer objections to plea against Aires, PI Sunita told
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, SEPT 14
Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday directed the Crime Branch Police Inspector Sunita Sawant to clear the objections raised by the Court registry in the revision petition filed by her challenging the acquittal of the lawyer activist Aires Rodrigues in the 2004 Ribandar case.
Justice N A Britto has fixed a time frame of 10 days to reply to the objection which argued that the revision should have been filed and presented by the public prosecutor on behalf of the State.
The police inspector, on the contrary, not only filed the revision petition but also failed to show that she has been authorized by the government to file the revision in the said case.
In an apparent disrespect to the Court, today, the PI did not stand up or come forward when her matter was called out in the Court hall.
“The Justice in his order recorded that PI Sawant was not present in the Court. Sawant was however seen seated in the Court but did not stand up or come forward when her matter was called out,” said Adv Rodrigues.
Currently, the case is being investigated by Sub Inspector K V Mahale, but the revision petition has been drafted by PI Sawant even though there is nothing on record that shows that the case has been transferred to the latter.
Adv Rodrigues and 14 other residents were indicted in the Ribadar case wherein the former led an agitation at Ribandar Church premise demanding action against the then Ribandar Parish Priest Fr Newton Rodrigues for allegedly molesting a minor girl from the same village.
Adv Rodrigues was however acquitted, which is being contested by the investigating agency.
