PANJIM: Asking a driver to remove his vehicle from a no-parking zone cost a home guard dearly, as he was allegedly manhandled and assaulted by one Ryan Fernandes on Friday morning at the junction near the Portuguese consulate, Altinho.
Home guard Amrish Naik claims the assault has damaged his eardrum, while Panjim Police arrested Fernandes under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) and 325 (causing hurt) of the IPC.
The incident occurred at around 9:45am when vehicles of Judges, lawyers and the litigants take this route to reach the High Court of Bombay at Goa. “The car (GA-07-E-7109) was parked on the way to the High Court, in a no parking area and was obstructing other vehicles. I requested the driver to remove the car. The driver refused to heed to my request. I again requested him to park the car elsewhere. At that he pushed me, slapped and kicked me,” Naik said, describing the ordeal to Herald.
Passersby and staff of the Portuguese Consulate came to Naik’s rescue, the police control room was alerted, and a PCR van picked the alleged accused. “The driver threatened me. I heard him calling his name as Ryan Fernandes from Caranzalem,” he added.
While Fernandes was taken to the police station, Naik was rushed to Goa Medical College for examination. The home guard, attached to Panjim Traffic Cell and posted on duty at the junction, recalled that he had earlier also had a brush with Fernandes.
“He is a habitual offender. He has parked the vehicle in the wrong place near High Court too previously, and keeps honking. Owing to his repeated acts, I had even complained to Panjim police station. I believe no action was taken,” Naik said.
Home Guard Commandant Dinraj Govekar said action will be taken.
It is learnt the alleged offender is the son of the owner of a reputed security agency in the capital.
