PANAJI
Ahead of Pooja Sharma’s anticipatory bail hearing, five accused in the Assagao house demolition case including alleged conspirator Ahmed Khwaja were granted bail by the Sessions Court on Tuesday.
Female bouncers Shaheen Saudagar (38) and Shalan Kallappa Morekar (42), both residents of Candolim, and Bismilla Gorgundagi (44) from Nerul besides Vasco resident Ashfak Sheikh are the remaining accused to be granted conditional bail.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch made six arrests in the case while the main accused Sharma remains at large. Her anticipatory bail plea, filed before the Principal Sessions Court on Monday, will be heard on Wednesday which is when the SIT is also directed to submit a case diary on the investigation. Among the two arrested by Anjuna police, before the transfer of the investigation, the JCB operator Pradeep Rana was granted bail earlier.
SAWANT LEAVES FOR DELHI
Amid demands for the transfer of Director General of Police Jaspal Singh, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant left for Delhi on Tuesday.
While official reports claim that the CM has an appointment scheduled with Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J P Nadda, and other central leaders to discuss various issues concerning Goa, sources stated the DGP’s transfer is likely to be a key topic of discussion.
“The State government's report is already under examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The will probably want a clear explanation of how the issue originated and the current status of the situation. The transfer order will be discussed because the government does not want to be cornered during the assembly session, and wants to relieve the DGP at the earliest,” said an official familiar with the matter. The appointment of a new DGP is also likely to be deliberated upon.
Singh's role has come under scrutiny after suspended PI Prashal Desai alleged that the DGP pressurised him to ensure the Assagao house demolition on June 22 with instructions to assist Pooja Sharma – the main accused currently absconding.
