Russian rape: order on bail plea reserved

Russian rape: order on bail plea reserved
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JAN 12
The South Goa Sessions court on Tuesday reserved its order to January 15 on the bail plea filed by accused in the Russian woman rape case, John Fernandes.
Arguments were heard before Additional Sessions Judge Vijaya Pol on Tuesday on John’s bail application. While the Crime branch on Tuesday vehemently opposed bail
plea on grounds that the material witnesses are yet to be examined by the court and that there is possibility of tampering with evidence, the defense pleaded for bail saying that most of the witnesses have been examined in the case.
The defense pooh phooed the contention of the prosecution that the accused will threatened the witness or tamper with evidence, saying that the court has so far examined 21 material witnesses with none of them complaining of tampering of evidence.
The defense lawyer said that John has been languishing in jail for the last one year and 15 days and that there was no attempt made to tamper with evidence, adding that the prosecution has been making allegations sans justification.
There are no important witnesses who remained to be examined. Only the Investigating officer required to be examined, the defense contended and wondered whether the IO feels that it can be tampered with by the accused.
On the prosecution claim that the female friend of the Russian rape victim is yet to be examined by the court, the defense contended that the female friend is not an eye witness in the case, adding that no important witness is left out now who can be tampered with by the accused.
The defense also laid stress on the three versions made by the victim before the police, including that outraging modest, attempt to rape and rape, adding that the accused cannot be deprived of his liberty.
Public prosecutor Bhanudas Gaonkar in his arguments submitted that the prosecution has to still call the rape victim for identification of the muddemal property, adding that the victim’s friend also needs to be examined. “The police are trying their level best to get the victim friend come and depose in the case. We had approached the Interpol, which said the victim’s friend is presently out of Russia”, Gaonkar aadded.
Saying that trial in the case is not yet complete, the public prosecutor prayed to the court to reject the bail plea of the accused.