PANJIM: The Sessions Court chided the Crime Branch (CB) investigation officer (IO) for filing a ‘vague’ say to the two anticipatory bail pleas filed by the prime accused Sachin Naik and Virendra Mardolkar in the food grain smuggling case.
The Sessions Court on Wednesday heard arguments on both applications and posted the matters for orders on December 2.
The Court questioned the Investigating Officer as to why there is suspense in matters pertaining to Sachin Naik and Virendra Mardolkar.
The advocate representing accused Sachin Naik said, “Multiple FIRs have been lodged. However, in the say, the investigating agency has not stated the Sections nor has disclosed the multiple FIRs.”
The advocate said, “Entire case is on saying that Naik is habitual offender. The say of the police is abuse of the law.”
“There is no mention of three crime numbers that have been registered by Crime Branch. No complaint has been filed by civil supplies of the grains. If at all Sachin is involved, complaint had to be filed,” the Counsel added.
Meanwhile the Counsel appearing for Virendra Mardolkar said, “He is the owner of truck that has been mentioned of being seized. Mardolkar is just a transporter. As far as permissions are concerned I do not require permissions to transport these items which fall under essential commodities. The reply of the police has no requirement of Virendra in the investigation.”
Sachin along with Virendra Mardolkar have been absconding after the Crime Branch conducted the raid at the fair price shop and private warehouse of food grains. In their investigation, the police have mentioned that the grains seized during the raids are from Sanguem, Ponda and Panjim warehouses. The Crime Branch also revealed that the accused allegedly took out 10 tonnes of grains at a time.
Police have been only relying upon the statement of the truck driver who was intercepted at the spot of the raid. The court has also been informed by the counsels of the applicants that there is no complaint from the Civil Supplies Department whose grains are alleged to have been stolen. The Court has asked the Public Prosecutor to file case status and both the matters have been kept for orders on December 2.
