PANJIM, AUG 26
The Goa Police which have come in for severe criticism from various quarters in the police-politicians-drug mafia nexus case, is in for more embarrassment this time for keeping the State Legislative Assembly in the dark over the mysterious disappearance of alleged drug dealer Atala.
Enquiries have revealed that the Goa Police knew very well that Atala (Yaniv Benahim) was missing when the 15-day Monsoon Session of State Legislative Assembly was underway.
However, for reasons best known to them, the Home Ministry did not inform the House on the development.
Inquiries have revealed that the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Mapusa, hearing Atala’s overstaying case issued a ‘non-bailable warrant’ on August 5 for not appearing before it.
Incidentally, this was just a day before the Assembly session concluded on August 6. The debate over the police-drug mafia nexus created ruckus in the Assembly adjourning the session at least seven times.
Home Minister Ravi Naik, who attended the session couple of days before its culmination due to health reasons had told the House that the case was being probed professionally.
Earlier, JMFC had issued a same warrant against the drug peddler on July 29, which was withdrawn after Atala appeared before the Magistrate on the same day.
The Department is at the receiving end with criticism from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Nationalist Congress Party questioning its seriousness.
Ironically, police spokesperson Superintendent of (Special Branch) Police Atmaram Deshpande at a press briefing on Wednesday said that Atala’s disappearance was known to the police on August 7, when the latter was summoned in Crime Branch for some clarification pertaining to the probe.
