PANJIM POLICE SEEK DoP’S OPINION AS JMFC REFUSED TO GIVE A COPY OF DYING DECLARATION TO THEM

PANJIM: With the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) refusing to provide a copy of crime branch constable Chandru Gawas' dying declaration, the Panjim police have now sought the director of prosecution's (DoP) opinion in the matter.

Based on the DoP's opinion, the police would file an application for a copy of the dying declaration before the district sessions court, sources said.

The JMFC rejected the police's request as the special judicial magistrate (SJM) who recorded the dying declaration had objected to it being handed over to the Panjim police inspector (PI). "The SJM had objected to the Panjim PI investigating the case as he is also in charge of the Dona Paula outpost, which is housed in the crime branch building, where the victim allegedly consumed poison. Therefore, the SJM felt that the PI could be biased towards crime branch officials and the dying declaration should be given to an officer of the rank of DySP or above," sources said.

Even as there is speculation as to who are the officials named by Gawas in his dying declaration, the crime branch has submitted a report to the DIG claiming that Gawas must have committed suicide for personal reasons. Gawas, 33, consumed poison on June 25 while on duty. He died on June 28 and his family members blamed crime branch officials, and alleged that PI Praveenkumar Vast had denied Gawas leave for his wedding. The police then registered a case of abetment to suicide against Vast. – SR