Team Herald
PANJIM: The investigation into the assault case against suspected drug peddler Yaniv Benaim alias Atala has been delayed in absence of his custody, as the police in Uttrakhand are reluctant to hand over his custody to the Goa police.
Atala was arrested from Banbasa town of Champavat district in Uttrakhand on April 30. Sources say that Champavat police submitted to the local Chief Judicial Magistrate that they would escort Atala to Goa after the election process is over.
“The CJM, Champavat on May 14 extended Atala’s custody till May 28, which is when his bail application will also be heard. The delay in bringing him to Goa is because the Uttrakhand police claim their personnel are on Lok Sabha poll duty, and as such they do not have enough force to escort Atala to Goa,” said a police officer.
In the last week of April, the Anjuna police had booked Atala in the assault case wherein he along with two Russians Maxim Litrinov and Denis are charged with assaulting a man with steel rod and knife at Chapora. The survivor was seriously injured while the three accused absconded. Five days later Atala was caught by the Uttrakhand police while trying to enter Nepal. With Atala’s absence in Goa, the investigation has come to a standstill. “His interrogation will also reveal the identity and whereabouts of his accomplices in the case. The investigation is almost on hold till then,” the officer said.
Earlier this month, Atala had moved the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Mapusa seeking anticipatory bail in the case but withdrew when it came up for hearing on May 9. The JMFC had directed the Superintendent of Lohaghat Jail in Champvat to produce the accused before it at 10 am based on which the CJM at Champavat directed the local police to ensure his appearance before the Mapusa court. This order came with a rider that the police escort would bring Atala back the CJM on May 14, which is when his initial 14 days judicial custody ended.
The Superintendent of Police, Champavat then sent a letter to JMFC, Mapusa seeking fresh date stating, “Due to Lok Sabha election duty, it is not possible to produce accused Yaniv Benaim before the court on May 9.”
