16 witnesses confirm that Zaine removed sword and attacked the victims, yet…
SP North Priyanka Kashyap is actually probing accused allegation that sword was used by victims
The cosy police, political connections of accused father making victims’ well-wishers worried
Even with accused in custody, police have no idea where the potential murder weapon, the sword, is
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: There is a rapidly growing apprehension, that the obvious and open coziness that the accused in the sword attack Steve Almeida has with the police and political establishment, will make the fight for justice for Rafael and Raju Sarin much tougher. In the wake of this, North Goa SP Priyanka Kashyap made a remark to the Herald which will further heighten fears of a diluted investigation.
Speaking to the Herald, Kashyap said, “The accused says that the victim was carrying the sword. We are viewing the CCTV footage from the pub to understand how the entire incident unfolded. Investigation is on”. She added that the police are probing accused Zaine Almeida’s statement that one victim was carrying the sword and attacked the other.
To even take congnisance of this charge, when she knows that the victims lay bleeding almost to death and 16 witnesses saw Zaine emerge with the sword and slash the two victims, is shocking.
Kashyap at the same time says the accused could have thrown the weapon in the river. “We had hired divers to locate the sword but it hasn’t been recovered yet. Every possible bit is being done to trace the assault weapon,” she added.
The unjustified delay in finding the crucial sword used to almost butcher Rafael da Costa and Raju Sarin, has added to the worry that the Panjim police may not quite build a water tight case.
In the meeting held by residents of Campal, where the more seriously injured of the two Rafael Peregrinho Da Costa lives, it was decided that each of the witnesses should get a signed copy of their statements and keep them in their possession, as their right since the trial will revolve around these.
Sadly the biggest casualty in this attack has been the growing lack of confidence that influence will play its ugly part in blocking the road to justice for Rafael and Raju.
