TEAM HERALD
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VASCO: His indefinite hunger strike lasted barely two hours on Wednesday, when the father of the seven-year-old schoolgirl, who was sexually assaulted in a Vasco school, was informed that the Children’s Court had accepted his petition and had issued notices to the police.
The father along with some parents began a hunger strike outside the school’s main gate on Wednesday morning. However, at about 11.45 am, Adv Aires Rodrigues arrived at the site and advised the father to withdraw his fast.
Speaking to Herald, the father stated that Adv Rodrigues informed him that the Children’s Court had issued notices to Mormugao Police Inspector and officer in-charge of the Crime Branch to appear in the Children’s Court on February 18 at 10 am.
“As the Children’s Court has already acted in the matter, Adv Rodrigues requested me to call off the hunger strike. I have full faith in the Indian judiciary and Children’s Court and I am sure of getting justice,” said the father.
Adv Rodrigues told Herald that they had moved the Children’s Court seeking court’s intervention in the tragic incident. “Our prayers before the court are very clear and we have asked the court to direct the police to nab the culprit immediately,” he added.
“There are indications that the accused may have gone abroad. The accused may have gone anywhere, but the government will have to do everything possible to bring the culprit from wherever he is,” stated Adv Rodrigues.
He further said they have also requested the court to immediately file an FIR and arrest the headmistress, class teacher and the head clerk who reportedly destroyed vital evidence.
“We have also asked the court to register an FIR and arrest the official of the management who had the audacity to carry a draft of Rs 5 lakh and offer the same to the father, giving the impression that they wanted to try and hush up the case,” stated Adv Rodrigues.
He said they have also asked the court to monitor the entire investigation. “The court has now issued notices to the police and has directed them to be present in the court on February 18. I am very confident that the court is now seized of the matter. The Children’s Court will monitor the entire case and the family will get justice,” he said.
“The father was desperate as he was not getting answers to the questions he has been asking for the last one month. He had decided to go on hunger strike from Wednesday,” he said.
Adv Rodrigues asserted that politicians trying to interfere in the investigation will not be spared.
… after court issues notices to police
PANJIM: The Children’s Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Goa Police to appear before it on February 18 in connection with a petition filed by the father of the seven-year-old Vasco rape victim seeking an FIR against the school for destroying evidence and criminal conspiracy.
The father has also sought arrests of the school headmistress Sharlet Furtado, class teacher Deesha Kavathankar and head clerk Brazina Godinho for the offence. Furtado is presently out on bail.
