MARGAO
Friday saw top politicians, including two ministers and an MLA, making their appearance before South Goa Principal Sessions Judge, Irshad Agha, the Judge designated by the High Court to hear and try all Sessions triable cases against politicians.
While the husband-wife duo of Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate and Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate appeared before Judge Agha on Friday noon in the Panjim Police station attack case, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho appeared before the Principal Sessions Judge virtually in the Power rebate scam case earlier in the morning.
The Panjim police station attack case was earlier tried by the North Goa Court, while the trial in the Power scam case was conducted by the then Additional Sessions Judge, Vincent D’Silva, who has since retired. Trial in these two and other Sessions court triable cases involving politicians will now be conducted by the South Goa Sessions Judge Irshad Agha as per the High Court order.
Police station attack
Revenue Minister Atanasio Moserrate and his wife Jennifer, who have been charged by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) in the Panjim police station attack case, sat in the accused box when Judge Agha called the matter for hearing on Friday afternoon. The duo appeared before the Judge on Friday as they were conspicuous by their absence on the last date of the hearing.
Then Panjim police station house officer PI Tushar Lotlikar was cross-examined by the defence lawyers on Friday. The cross-examination of PI Lotlikar will resume at the next date of the hearing when senior counsel Adv Surendra Desai, appearing for accused Tony Rodrigues, is expected to cross-examine the prosecution witness at the hearing scheduled next Friday.
Sessions judge Irsad Agha has decided to conduct the trial in the Panjim police station attack case every Friday.
Power rebate scam
Meanwhile, the Power scam case allegedly involving Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho came up for hearing before Sessions Judge Irshad Agha. When the matter was called for hearing, Mauvin appeared before the Judge virtually. The Judge later fixed the hearing of the case for next Friday morning.
Have full faith in Judiciary, says Minister
MARGAO:
Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate has said he has full faith and trust in the Judiciary of the country.
After coming out of the courtroom, the Revenue Minister said he has no issue with the trial now transferred to South Goa Sessions Court, saying he has full faith and trust in the Judiciary.
He declined to offer any comment on the matter, saying the matter is sub judice. Monserrate, and wife Jennifer were later spotted with their well-wishers in the Sessions Court complex. He also had a word with his lawyers before he headed back home in his vehicle.
Power scam: Judge asks CB to depute officer for hearing
MARGAO:
With no Crime Branch official present in the court during the hearing of the Power rebate scam, South Goa Sessions Court Judge Irshad Agha on Friday ordered to issue a letter to the Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch to depute an officer to do the follow-up in the case.
A non-bailable warrant was also issued by the court against one of the accused who was conspicuous by his absence at the time of the hearing.
Saying that the matter is almost 20 years old, the Judge has called upon the Crime Branch to depute an officer to remain present for the hearing and speedy disposal of the case.
Crime Branch officer PI Theron D’Costa was earlier doing the follow-up on the matter when he was posted in the Crime branch. After his posting to the Colva police station, the crime branch seemed to have not deputed an officer to attend the court hearings in the power rebate scam case.
The matter will now be heard in the South Goa Sessions court next Friday morning.
