GIRL FRIEND OF CIPRIANO SAYS THAT POLICE FORCED HER TO CHANGE HER STATEMENT

PANJIM: Georgina Nunes, the girlfriend of Cipriano Fernandes who allegedly died in police custody, on Wednesday, told the Court that Panjim police tried to pressurise her to change her statement before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who conducted inquiry into the unfortunate incident.

 In her deposition before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Panjim, which is conducting trial into Cipriano’s death, Georgina claimed that Cipriano died as a result of police beating.

“After the SDM recorded my statement, police constable Sandip Shirvaikar came to my residence at Caranzalem and asked me to change my statement as I deposed against him for beating Cipriano in the police van and police station,” she told the Magistrate in her two-hour-long deposition.  “Cipriano’s death was unnatural. I feel the police have taken his life by hitting him on his head,” she added when the Magistrate asked her opinion on the death.

Georgina deposed after the JMFC issued bailable warrant against her for failing to respond to summons earlier.  Deposing further she told the JMFC that Cipriano was beaten inside the vehicle right from the time he was picked up from Porvorim till the Panjim police station.

She further stated that two constables, one of whom was Shirvaikar dragged the unconscious Cipriano holding his collar inside the police station and dumped him in a room adjacent to inspector Sandesh Chodankar’s cabin.

Earlier, Georgina had given this statement made before the JMFC today to the SDM and the State Police Complaints Authority.