Double tracking case: All eyes on Margao JMFC verdict

Team Herald

MARGAO: All eyes are on the court hearing as the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) is most likely to explain the substance of the accusation to all the four activists, accused in the November 2020 Chandor protest against the double-tracking of railways. 

The case will come up for hearing before the Judicial Magistrate Ankita Nagvenkar, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) on Wednesday, June 15.  Abhit Prabhudesai, Daina Tavares, Freddy Travaso and Vikash Bhagat will appear before the JMFC Court pertaining to the charge sheet filed by the Railway Police Force. 

All the four activists are booked by the Railway Police Force under Sections 146, 147, and 174 (a) of the Railway Act, 1989, Amendment Act-2003. 

It may be recalled that on the day of the first hearing in April, a large number of people, social activists, including political leaders had marched to the JMFC, Margao in support of the four activists, accused in the November 2020 Chandor protest case. Members of ‘Goyant Kollso Naka’, ‘Goencho Ekvott’, and a few citizens from Chandor had also openly declared their support for the four activists. 

Speaking to Herald on Tuesday, Abhijit Prabhudesai said that they are ready to face the court trial but won’t stop fighting to protect the environment. 

“We have not done anything wrong, but it was a step forward in the interest of the State and there was no self-interest involved in the agitation,” he stated. 

As claimed by the lawyer representing all four activists Stanly Rodrigues, it was a peaceful protest called by all the environment lovers for the love of Goa, as thousands of people attended the same on November 1, 2020, at Chandor.  Law is equal to everyone. 

“As reported, this protest was attended by thousands of people. However, only five have been named as accused. Amongst those thousands, there were prominent politicians including the then Leader of the Opposition, and former deputy chief minister, besides MLAs. Political activists, who are now MLAs, also attended the protest,” Rodrigues stated. 

A question was also raised by many was why only four activists were targeted? Why are the big fish left scot-free? 

The Judicial Magistrate expressed anger for leaking the message pertaining to a preponed case hearing. She warned the lawyer representing the four activists against repeating the same in future.