Bicholim cops grill Velingkar for 3 hours on Day 2

Ex-RSS Goa chief says he is co-operating with the police, has given them whatever info they have sought and the session is over
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Team Herald

BICHOLIM: The Bicholim Police on Friday grilled former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Goa Prant chief Subhash Velingkar for nearly three hours on Friday in connection with the investigation over his derogatory remarks on St Francis Xavier.

The police this time questioned Velingkar from 10 am to 1 pm unlike on Thursday when he was quizzed for merely 20 minutes even as the former RSS Goa chief submitted his written reply.

After coming out of the police station, Velingkar said, “I was summoned at 10 am today (Friday). I am co-operating with the police. I have given them whatever information they have sought. The session is over.”

This was for the first time Velingkar spoke to mediapersons after the controversy broke following his statement on ‘DNA test’ of the relics of St Francis Xavier on October 1.

He also said that he will join the investigation whenever he is called to do so. He was accompanied by Goa Suraksha Manch youth president Nitin Faldessai.

When questioned over the issue of hurting religious sentiments of people, Velingkar said, “The matter is sub judice. The court will decide. Whatever requirement was there, I have completed it,” he said and reiterated that he is cooperating with the police.Meanwhile, the next hearing of the criminal application (bail) filed by Velingkar has been fixed on October 15.

On Thursday, while hearing the criminal application (bail) filed by Velingkar, the High Court had asked him to appear before the police station the same evening. He was also told to appear as and when called by the investigating officer to comply with the notice issued under Section 35 (3) of the BNSS.

The Bicholim Police had issued three notices to Velingkar under Section 35 (3) of the BNSS after he failed to appear at the police station.

The police have registered a case against the former RSS Goa chief under Section 299 of BNS. However, Velingkar evaded appearing before the police station after being served with a notice and instead filed an anticipatory bail application before the North Goa Additional Sessions Court, Panjim October 5.

On October 7, the Additional Sessions Court dismissed his anticipatory bail application. Following this the Bicholim Police issued him the third notice, but Velingkar approached the High Court praying for anticipatory bail.

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