Babush, son served notices
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 19
Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate and his son Amit have been served notices for allegedly attempting to take away an accused arrested by the police after entering Panjim Police Station on February 19, 2008.
The Panjim Chief Judicial Magistrate today served notice over the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under Section 353 (assault to deter public servant from discharge of duty) read with Section 34 (act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
Former Panjim Mayor Tony Rodrigues and CCP contractor Rajesh Ravindran are also been served notices over the matter.
On the basis of an FIR lodged by the then Panjim PI in the attack case, the CBI in their chargesheet had mentioned that the accused demanded the release of one Mainardo alias Toto from police custody.
“They entered the police station and attempted to take away the arrested accused and obstructed the complainant (Panjim police PI) and other police persons in discharge of their duties,” the chargesheet reads.
It had also pointed out that four police personnel were injured during the incident.
Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the hearing on the chargesheet against 37 accused in connection with violent attack on city police station in February 2008.
The matter was adjourned after Advocate Arun Bras D’Sa appearing on behalf of Monserrate sought time stating that they have challenged the chargesheet in the High Court and the appeal to quash the chargesheet is pending.
CBI has filed a chargesheet against 37 accused including the minister, his wife Jennifer, city mayor Carolina Po and former mayor Rodrigues. 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, after Monserrate moved to High Court demanding CBI inquiry.
