MARGAO: Arguments before framing of charges in the Balli riots case were heard by the District and Sessions Court, South Goa, on Wednesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) advocate failed to establish any allegation against the 21 accused. Judge Vincent D’Silva was dissatisfied with the prosecution’s arguments and pulled them up for naming United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) in the case without any substantial evidence that its members were involved in any crime.
Further arguments will be heard on September, 1, 2, and 4. Meanwhile, Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, MP Narendra Sawaikar and UTAA leader Govind Gawde filed applications for exemptions from personal appearance, on Wednesday.
Assistant public prosecutor (PP) Vivek Shrivastava argued on the sections for rioting, unlawful assembly, damage to public property and others against the 21 accused. However, the judge pointed out several loopholes in the sections and questioned the prosecution on facts.
“The senior police officers at the riot spot in Balli did see any UTAA leaders in the mob at the track. So how do you name UTAA in your chargesheet?” asked Judge D’Silva, while directing to produce evidence that UTAA leaders were responsible for the riots.
He added, “How does section 3 and 4 of Destruction of Public Property implicate any of the accused when the statements of various people don’t name or pinpoint any of the accused?”
He also observed that section 149 of rioting was not applicable as there was very little proof that the 21 accused were near the railway track. At many instances he pointed out that other than one Ravindra Gaonkar, who has been named in the statements and chargesheet for an act that doesn’t establish crime, none of the other accused are directly named in the chargesheet. Voices were heralding in the corridors that the case is weak and won’t stand the scrutiny of law and will eventually be closed due to lack of evidence.
