PANJIM: High Court of Bombay at Goa has expressed complete displeasure over police’s inaction into the ruckus at the election to the managing committee of the Comunidade of Serula despite police presence and questioned delay in registering First Information Report (FIR) against the rioters.
North SP Chandan Chaudhary and Additional Collector Vikas Gaunekar (appeared on behalf of Collector Levinson Martins) appeared before the bench of Justices M S Sonak and Prithviraj Chavan after directions to remain present in person to explain delayed action.
Porvorim police on Tuesday registered FIR against five persons including the petitioner in the writ petition, Yeshwant Shirodkar for the offense. However, the bench sought to know the reason for the delay in registering FIR as the incident disrupting the election occurred on January 27. The North SP submitted an affidavit to the court but the explanation did not satisfy the bench. The police was later directed for a proper investigation. The court also asked the petitioner to deposit Rs 1 lakh to verify his bonafied on the petition, as he is named as one of the accused in the FIR.
The government has submitted to the Court that election to the posts of attorney, treasurer and their substitutes which could not be held owing to the high voltage drama will now be held on March 3. A notification in this regard is expected to be released on Thursday.
Similarly, elections to the Usgao, Nerul, Sirsaim and Advalpal communidade administrations will also be held on the same day while Sancoale voting will be on February 17. The police have assured the Court of deploying additional police security during the election process, installing CCTV cameras and video recording the entire proceeding to prevent possible untoward incident.
