PANJIM, JAN 21
The Forensic Laboratory, Surat today submitted its report on the chemical analysis of Cipriano Fernandes, who died on January 9 allegedly after being beaten up by the Panjim police.
The report submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has been forwarded to the Forensic Department of the Goa Medical College to complete the autopsy report.
GMC had reserved the cause of death pending viscera report.
According to family members, Cipriano was picked up by the police on the night of January 7 under a preventive arrest provision.
“He was beaten up in the vehicle and at the Panjim police station before he was taken to the GMC and left to die”, Cipriano’s paternal cousin, Cosme had alleged. A woman friend of Cipriano, upon whose complaint Cipriano was arrested, claims to have witnessed the beating.
SDM Sabaji Shetye is holding a judicial inquiry into the death even as the State Government has already initiated a probe headed by gazetted officer DySP Bossuet Silva to look into the procedural lapses by the police.
Police sources told Herald that Silva would submit his preliminary report to the North Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas on Monday. Statement of 15 witnesses, all of whom are from the Panjim police have been recorded so far.
The report will be further submitted to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravindra Yadav and Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi to decide on whether action can be taken against the policemen or not.
Cosme has demanded that police station head Sandesh Chodankar, Sub Inspectors Radesh Ramnathkar and Vijay Chodankar and constable Sandip Shirvaikar be suspended. “They may tamper with evidences linking them to the custodial death of my brother”, he was quoted saying.
