MARGAO, MAY 6
This may seem strange but true. If you are shocked over the bail granted to the Margao bomb blast accused due to delay in filing the chargesheet by the National Investigating Agency (NIA), then hold on.
Apart from the delay in the filing the chargesheet by the NIA in the sensational case in the Vasco magistrate’s court as the papers are yet to come down to Goa from Delhi, the government is yet to issue a notification appointing a special court to try the bomb blast case.
That there is no notification till date appointing a special court came to light during the bail plea filed by accused Vinayak Patil and Vinay Talekar. Sources said the NIA submitted before the court that there is no notification to try these matters by a special court. The NIA further admitted that such a notification will be published shortly.
When the notification constituting a special court to try the Margao bomb blast case will come is a subject matter for debate, but the fact remains that the NIA has little over a week’s time to file the main charge sheet against the accused in the case.
Sources say the 180 days of custody of the accused persons expires next week and the NIA has to somehow compile a chargesheet next and file the same in the court.
When Special Public Prosecutor and senior counsel representing the NIA in the case S B Faria was contacted by Herald to throw light on the matter, he said “No doubt, there is presently no notification to try the bomb blast case by a special court. But, the chargesheet can be filed in the Sessions Court before the 180 day custody of the accused persons expires next week”.
Faria declined to comment on the delay by the NIA to file the chargesheet against accused Vinayak Patil and Vinay Talekar in the Sancoale case, but sources say the chargesheet is being prepared by the NIA bosses in Delhi and the documents would be dispatched to Goa no sooner the chargesheet gets a clearance from all angles.
Incidentally, the NIA tried to impress upon the magistrate court to reject the bail pleas of Vinay Talekar and Vinayak Patil on grounds there is no notification appointing special court to try the case. The magistrate, however, rejected the plea saying her court would not have powers to entertain the bail application if there was any notification appointing any court as a special court.
