Babush, 35 others appear in JMFC court
PANJIM, APRIL 8
Education Minister Babush Monserrate, his wife Jennifer, ex-mayor Tony Rodrigues were among those who appeared in the court of JMFC here in connection with the violent attack on Panjim Police Station in February 2008.
The case has been adjourned till June 24.
The matter was listed for hearing today before JMFC Panjim but the hearing could not take place due to absence of the JMFC who was on leave.
Monserrate, his wife Jennifer Monserrate, ex-mayor Tony Rodrigues, Mayor Caroline Po, were among those present. All 37 accused were issued notices to remain present in the Court today. All were present except one.
Panjim police station was attacked by a mob that was led by Taleigao MLA in February 19, 2008.
All accused face charges for rioting, attack on public servants with dangerous weapons, causing mischief by damage to public property and also use of fire and explosives.
While initial investigation was conducted by Goa Police wherein FIRs were registered against 524 people including 24 known persons it was latter handed to CBI on the demand of the Taleigao MLA.
Monserrate who was arrested on the night of attack along with his wife and other supporters, moved High Court alleging police atrocities and demanded that investigating be conducted by CBI.
Around 32 policemen were injured, six of them seriously, while a couple of two-wheelers in front of the police station were burnt in the attack on the town police station. In the counter attack on the same night (18th February), a group allegedly consisting of the humiliated cops, had damaged things at both the residences of Monserrates at Taleigao as well as Miramar. Adv Joseph Vaz is representing CBI.
CHARGESHEET: CBI has charged education minister Babush Monseratte for making inflammatory speech that incited 500-odd crowd to attack the Panaji police station in February 2008.
A copy of the 800-odd pages chargesheet filed by CBI in 2009 before the local Court was handed over to each of the accused. The investigating agency examined more than 190 witnesses mainly consisting of cops.
Babush had threatened public anger against the police if three assailants – Paulo Imtiyaz, Mosim Tosim and Babani Sheik – who reportedly had assaulted Ryan Godinho, were not arrested by the police.
The morcha had also demanded suspension of PI Sudesh Naik. Not satisfied with the assurances of SDPO Mohan Naik, Babush along with the mob marched towards the police station, in the evening which led to a violent incident – unprecedented in the history of Panjim town police station.
