Cipriano: Killed by Khaki
SDM Sabaji Shetye to JMFC: Cipriano died in police custody
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM, JAN 28
A forensic expert and a sub divisional magistrate delivered a telling blow to those in the Goa Police, trying to cover up the gruesome custodial death of Cipriano Fernandes. The Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sabaji Shetye told the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) that “Cipriano’s death occurred in custody”.
No less potent was the deposition of Dr Silvano Sapeco, head of the Forensic Department of the Goa Medical College, who in clear and simple terms said that he was killed due to an injury by a sharp blunt object on the middle and left portion of his skull which caused an internal swelling of the brain. These injuries, the SDM remarked, were “fatal” and the cause of his death.
In a very strong and clear deposition in court, Sheyte said “In my opinion, Cipriano’s death occurred in custody which was revealed during my course of inquiry as per the deposition of forensic doctors who stated that injuries on Cipriano were inflicted while in police custody.”
Shetye, it is now learnt, relied on Dr Sapeco’s findings, which were made clear to the court by the forensic expert himself. The forensic chief and a team of forensic doctors had conducted post-mortem on Cipriano’s body.
This is what he told the court:
“The cause of Cipriano’s death is due to sequelae of concussive head injury sustained as a result of cumulative effect of injury no. 6 (middle portion of the head) and injury 7 (left portion).”
He died due to surface injuries with a blunt force object on the skull, elbow, joint, right aspect of skull and left hand.
– A few other injuries were three days old
Shetye said that his inquiry is yet to come to a conclusion even as it has recorded statements of around 30 witnesses so far.
The JMFC under Section 176(1) (A) had taken cognizance of the case after a human rights activist Jowett D Souza approached it after the Agasaim police station refused to register his complaint dated 15.01. 2011 as an FIR (first information report), stating that police officers of Panjim police were responsible for his death
On Friday this court initiated criminal proceedings in the case which could pave the way for the arrest of the suspended police officers as well others on duty. Continuing the case trial, the JMFC will record statements of the suspended Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar and the deceased’s family members on Saturday.
Cipriano’s family has refused to take over Cipriano’s body till the SDM discloses his report after completion of the inquiry.
