TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday told the Legislative Assembly that a former National Security Act (NSA) detainee Zenito Cardoso was the brain behind the attack on the night club at Nerul, on August 28, 2013.
Parrikar, who holds the Home portfolio, said that government would request the High Court to issue non-bailable warrant against Cardoso and three others involved in the attack, all of whom are currently absconding. Parrikar also expressed unhappiness about the functioning of the JMFC, who had refused to issue a warrant against the accused.
The chief minister was responding to the question raised by Independent MLA Vijai Sardessai, who was dissatisfied over the investigation by local police. He demanded that a fast track Court be set up to handle the matter.
Parrikar said that Cardoso has been identified as the person behind the attack, which included around 29 masked men. Cardoso has been absconding since then and police have begun attempts to track him down,” he said.
Government informed the House that five people have already been arrested in the case and are currently in judicial custody.
District Investigation Team headed by Superintendent of Police (SP) has been formed to probe the case and trace all the accused, the Chief Minister said.
“There is involvement of lot of people in the crime. All the relevant material has been given to the team. There will be no stone unturned to crack this case,” he said.
BJP MLA Michael Lobo participating in the debate demanded thorough inquiry into the incident as “high and mighty people might have been behind the attack on the night club.”
Chief Minister said that government has taken series of steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future. Officers of the rank of Police Inspectors have been earmarked respective zones for patrolling during night. All police stations have been directed to identify active habitual offenders/history sheets for initiating exterminate proceeding/NSA proceedings and as per provision of CrPC.
