IF POLICE COULD NOT FIND HEALTH MINISTER HOW WILL THEY GET ATALA : AIRES ASKS GSPCA

PANJIM: Adv. Aires Rodrigues today submitted before the four member Goa State Police Complaints Authority headed by Justice Eurico Da Silva that if the Goa Police were unable to find Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane they could not be expected to trace Atala.

In his preliminary arguments on the complaint filed by him against the three police Inspectors Mr. Vishwesh Karpe, Mr. Gurudas Gawade and Mr. Francisco Corte Adv. Rodrigues today submitted that the three officers grossly misconducted themselves, abused their authority and acted malafidely to protect the accused Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane in the threat to kill case.

As the arguments were inconclusive the matter was adjourned to Dec 22 for further arguments. Adv. Shashank Samant is appearing on behalf of the three police Inspectors.

Adv. Rodrigues in his arguments submitted that though the complaint against Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane was filed on 31st July 2007, that the then Old Goa Police Inspector Mr. Vishwesh Karpe registered the F.I.R only 22 days later.

Adv. Rodrigues also submitted that though the then Old Goa Police Inspector Gurudas Gawade had on 23rd August 2008 given an undertaking to the High Court that Mr. Vishwajit Rane would be charge sheeted, yet on 30th December 2008 Inspector Gawade filed a report before the JMFC, Panaji to try and close the case against the Health Minister.

In his arguments Adv. Rodrigues further submitted that when the Panaji JMFC issued summons to Mr. Vishwajit Rane to remain present in court, that the Old Goa Police returned the summons back to the JMFC stating that the accused Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane could not be found for almost three months.

Adv. Rodrigues also argued that on 21st July 2010 the High Court had directed the Old Goa police to proceed in the case against Mr. Vishwajit Rane under Sec 155 of Criminal Procedure Code but that on 7th August 2010 the current Old Goa Police Inspector Francisco Corte registered a non-cognizable case against the accused Mr. Vishwajit Rane and instead of seeking orders of the Magistrate to proceed with the case Inspector Corte had asked him (Rodrigues) to approach the Court.

Adv. Rodrigues told the Police complaints authority that it was very evident that over the last three years the Old Goa Police Inspectors have gone out of the way to shield and protect Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane from facing criminal prosecution. Adv. Rodrigues also submitted that the Police had failed to ensure that the law has to be the same for all and that nobody can be above the law.

The Goa State Police Complaints Authority has been set up under the directions of the Supreme Court and is empowered to look into all allegations of any police misconduct. The authority has the power to either recommend departmental action or criminal proceedings against erring police officers.