ACCUSED WAS TORTURED BY POLICE DySP IN LOCKUP

PONDA: Rajesh Desai, accused in the infamous Sameer Mapari case has been acquitted by the Ponda Court by upholding his contention that he did not attempt suicide but instead a DySP mercilessly assaulted him with a wire rope and rubber belt. The 30 year old accused had contended that DySP Mohan Naik and other Police officers hammered him at Ponda Out Post at Farmagudi on 20th August 2007.

The Judicial Magistrate First Class was hearing the case filed by police against Rajesh for attempt to murder after he was arrested in the Sameer Mapari case. The court acquitted Rajesh and the charges of trying to end his life after it was convinced that injuries on his wrist were allegedly due to beating by senior police officer.

The police had held that Desai had rubbed his left hand to the torn pointed iron net fastened to the lock up window of the police lock up. The defense argued that the facts were twisted and fabricated to produce a manipulated case against Rajesh.

“When the accused tried to prevent the assault with his hands it brushed against his left wrist due to which he sustained injury” the counsel argued. The prosecution examined nine witnesses including a doctor who echoed that the accused grazed his hand against the window of the police lock up and began bleeding. The Ponda police failed to furnish recording of the CCTV footage, which was fixed in the police lock up.

Magistrate Sayonara Telles Lad lamented that the footage could have a vital piece of information to prove the fact the accused attempted suicide. The accused was represented by Advocates Damodar Dhond and Shashant Naik.