MARGAO, MARCH 22
The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Monday passed an order committing the Russian woman rape case involving Colva resident John Fernandes to the Sessions Court for trial.
The Court’s order of committal comes nearly a month after the Crime branch filed a chargesheet against John in the court accusing him for allegedly raping the Russian woman in his car in December last year.
Incidentally, John has been in custody till date since he surrendered to the Crime branch on January 4 this year after he withdrew his bail application in the Supreme Court.
His bail applications moved before the Sessions court was twice rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge P V Sawaikar on grounds that the accused would use his political clout to tamper with the investigations.
John’s legal counsel Adv Mike Mehta said his client has now moved the High Court for bail after his bail pleas did not find favour with the Sessions Court. Adv Mehta informed that arguments were heard on John’s bail application in the High Court.
The Crime branch has charged John for allegedly raping the Russian woman in his car while allegedly spiking her drinks at a Colva shack.
CASE LODGED: The Maina-Curtorim police has registered a case after a cattle reportedly died after being hit by a resident on Sunday.
The police has registered a case under section 429 and 504 of the IPC after a cattle died in the assault, while a buffalo sustained grievous injuries following a dispute between two persons over grazing.
The police are investigating.
