Govt to appeal acquittals in heinous crimes

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said  on Thursday that the  state government has decided to appeal against acquittal  in several cases related to heinous crimes such as rapes and murders, in the higher courts.
Parrikar told reporters that the decision has been taken as per the State Litigation policy, which was approved earlier this month. “The policy has been firm that the cases of heinous crimes would be appealed in the higher courts, if they are acquitted in the lower courts,” he said
“There are several cases which need to be taken to their logical end,” he said when asked about his reply on the floor of the House about re-opening of a rape case of German minor involving St Cruz legislator Babush Monserrate’s son Rohit.
Parrikar said that all crime of serious nature would be taken to their logical conclusion.
In July 2011, Rohit was acquitted by the Children’s Court on charges of raping a German minor. The case was dismissed after efforts to persuade the alleged victim and her mother to testify, failed.
 Rohit was arrested in November 2008 for allegedly raping the 14- year- old and sending lewd text messages with an alleged intent to outrage her modesty.
Lately, the government received a setback when the additional sessions judge, South Goa acquitted three persons on charges of allegedly murdering youth Samir Mapari in 2007.