BLAST ACCUSED WANTS SPEEDY TRIAL

MARGAO: The accused in the Margao bomb blast case has knocked the doors of the high court seeking day-to-day trial of the case, even as the South Goa Sessions court on Thursday examined a police driver in connection with the case.

Accused Dhananjay Ashtekar has filed a petition in the high court seeking day-to-day trial of the case after the sessions court had rejected the plea of the accused for day-to-day trial.

His lawyer, Adv Sandeep Punaleykar told newsmen that the NIA Act mandates constitution of a special court to try such cases, adding that the high court has till date not constituted the special court to conduct day-to-day trial of the case. “We expect the high court to issue certain directions, if not constitute a special court so that the trial is expedited”, he added.

He pointed out that accused Prashant Ashtekar and Dilip Mangaonkar has also moved the high court for bail. “Accused Prashant Ashtekar is released on bail as he is required in the offence of destroying evidence, which is bailable”, Adv Punalyekar added

Meanwhile, the South Goa sessions court on Thursday examined the driver of Margao police station in connection with the bomb blast case. PC driver G B D’Mello told the court that the two persons lying injured at the blast site were lifted to the Hospicio hospital by the police staff in the Gypsy van. He submitted that Margao PI Santosh Desai also reached Hospicio after the injured were brought to the hospital, adding that he saw the vehicle of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat entering the hospital while he was heading back to the police station.

During his cross examination, the PC driver said he wend back to the Margao police station from Hospicio to wash the vehicle and later went to the bomb blast site again. “After some time, PI Santosh Desai also came to the spot from Hospicio hospital. I took about half an hour to wash the Gypsy vehicle at the police station. Soon after washing the vehicle, I went to the spot again”, he said.

When asked further on the presence of PI Desai, he said he did not remember what time PI Desai came to the spot and left from there. The examination of PI Desai was scheduled on Thursday, but could not take place after he sent a sick note.