TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Sanathan Sanstha Tuesday demanded the dismissal of policemen who are responsible for wasting four years of the life of six of its members who were arrested in connection with the Margao blast case.
Addressing the media after its members – Vinay Talekar, Vinayak Patil, Dhananjay Ashtekar, Dilip Mangaonkar, Prashant Ashtekar and Prashant Juvekar, were acquitted by the Special Court Mapusa on 31st December, sanstha members also wanted an apology from the former Union home minister P Chidambaram and reimbursement for the ‘loss’ suffered by the six.
The acquitted members of the Sanstha also accused the police of torturing them and threatening their families. “They had no proof against us. They also did not listen to our entreaties that we were innocent,” Dananjay Ashtekar told media adding, “They beat us with lathis, gave us electric shocks, turned us upside down and hit us… threatened our mothers, our families…. I cannot repeat the language that was used.”
The 175 page judgment delivered by Special Judge PV Savaikar acquitted the six accused. The NIA had charged 12 persons — four of who are absconding, whereas 2 persons were killed during the bomb blast. Therefore, the case proceeded against the six accused.
The investigation of this crime was initially conducted by Goa Police, and later by Special Investigation Team of Goa Police and finally by NIA. The NIA submitted the joint charge-sheet in the Court for both the cases – blast at Margao and finding of explosives at Sancoale.
The accused were charged under sections 120 (B), 121(A), 122, 123, 427 of IPC read with Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act section16,17,18 and with Explosive Substance Act clauses 3, 4, and 5.
Initially the case was heard at the Margao Session court, later at the court of Panjim Chief District and Session Judge. Later the Union Government issued a notification and appointed Special Judge and established a Special Court to hear the case.
The prosecution examined 122 witnesses, whereas defence had examined only 1 witness. However, prosecution failed to produce any direct witness in support of their case before the Court.
NIA was represented by Special prosecutor Adv SB Faria, while adv Sanjiv Punalekar and Adv Amey Prabhudesai represented the accused.
The press meet Tuesday sought to debunk the police arguments and pointed out that their procedure were full of holes while stating that they would be approaching the court for relief on two counts.
