SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
Team Herald
ASSAGAO: The massive public outcry as well as a pushback from a spirited opposition against the ruthless manner in which non non-Goan real estate owners, demolished a house with Goa occupants and members of their family, has forced the government to put up a display of course correction.
The PWD has been asked to rebuild the home Agarwadkar. The aggrieved Agarwadkar family sighed relief when PWD engineers undertook an exercise of measuring the bull dozed area of the house leaving the family with the assurance that the government is keen on its promise of reconstructing the house and, “later claiming the expenses from the accused.”
However , locals as well as the opposition feel that Pooja Sharma the prime accused is being treated with kid gloves .
“I have started finding something very fishy. How come the government is saying they are spending to build the house and recover the money later from an accused, who has been booked for kidnapping and is asked to cooperate in investigation instead of being arrested,” asked Desmond Alvares from Assagao.
Alvares' sentiments were recapped by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, who said, “It is clear the government is shielding a high profile individual through the police and that is why an inquiry by a retired judge is a must.”
Meanwhile, through the day, both arrested – the JCB driver and the real estate agent - applied for bail. JCB operator Pratap Rana’s case was heard whilst that of the real estate dealer from Dona Paula, Arshad Khawja, is scheduled to come up for hearing tomorrow.
Case transferred to Crime Branch
Due to fingers being pointed to the Anjuna police from some quarters, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant transferred the investigation of the Assagao house demolition case to the Crime Branch.
Also, an inquiry is being conducted by the Chief Secretary and the report will be submitted to Sawant, since he is the Home Minister. “No one will be spared and no dadagiri against Goans will be tolerated. No one will be spared. Action will be initiated against everyone including police officials, and officials will be placed under suspension if the Chief Secretary report points to their involvement,” Sawant warned.
“The State government has transferred the Assagao House demolition case from Anjuna police station to the Crime Branch, Ribandar for impartial inquiry," Sawant said.
On Tuesday night, after returning from New Delhi, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the Agarwadekars at Assagao and interacted with the Agarwadekar family. He assured the family that stringent action will be taken against all the perpetrators involved in the crime.
Sawant also assured them that the State government would rebuild their house and the expenses would be recovered from the accused. “The work on reconstruction will be started by the PWD within next three days,” he added.
The Chief Minister has asked the police to arrest all the 15 bouncers, both men and women involved in the partial demolition of the house and for abducting two members of Agarwadekar family.
The Anjuna police had registered a case against the unknown persons under Sections 365 and 427 read with 34 of IPC and had arrested two persons.
DGP appears to know the family antecedents of Pooja Sharma
In a tweet on the platform X DGP Jaspal Singh reacted to O Heraldo’s report quoting the Congress’ statement that the husband of the Prime accused Pooja Sharma is an IPS stated:
“Just to set the record straight so that people should not see investigation from this prism, Mrs Pooja Sharma’s husband is not an IPS officer repeat, not an IPS officer.”
Reacting to this tweet Goa Congress president, Amit Patkar said, “If the DGP knows the accused husband is not an IPS officer, as he has stated on X, he should name the husband because his statement makes it obvious he knows who the husband is. Whom is he trying to protect?”
Police arrest one conspirator
PANJIM: The Crime Branch on Wednesday night arrested Ashfak Kadir Sheikh, 40, a resident of Mangor, Vasco, who had allegedly provided his vehicle to the main accused for commission of the crime at Assagao on Saturday.
The vehicle was captured in footages from the scene of crime. The
vehicle has been seized too.
A four-member SIT has been formed headed by DySP Rajesh Kumar with PI Ninad Deulkar, PI Laxi Amonkar and PI Vikas Deykar under supervision of SP (Crime) Rahul Gupta.
Agarwadekar family backs off
PANJIM: The saga of demolishing the Agarwadekars’ house at Assagao took a new twist as the family has decided to withdraw the complaint filed against land owner Pooja Sharma.
An emissary from Mumbai, believed to be the representative of Sharma, arrived at Assagao and assured Agarwadekars family that the land owner would rebuild the demolished portion of the house and that the land owner would not evict them.
It is learnt that the representative told the family that the person who was looking after the property had outsourced the bouncers and that the land owner was unaware of it.
Pranisha stated that Pooja Sharma knew nothing about the case and was totally “oblivious” to what was happening in Assagao and “felt sorry” for what had happened.
“We have decided to withdraw the case as Pooja Sharma has assured us to reconstruct the house and pay for all the damages,” Prinsha Agarwadekar said.
Her statement has invited sharp criticism from Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, Crime Branch and netizens.
Reacting to the Agarwadekar family compromising the case, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo demanded that the State should fight the case.
“I am stunned to hear this. Goans are a community of pride and passion. We cannot be insulted like this. Goa and Goans need to know the whole story. Our respect is at stake. Let no one take us for granted. Let no one sell our pride,” she said.
CB books Anjuna cops for criminal conspiracy
PANJIM: Looks like trouble has been brewing for the Anjuna police for dereliction of duty in the Assagao house demolition case with officers of the Crime Branch (CB) speeding up the probe and booking the accused including police officials allegedly involved in the case.
A Crime Branch official on condition of anonymity stated that some offences were compoundable and others are not.
It was reportedly learnt that a top politician pulled up the IPS officer for allegedly getting involved in the case and tarnishing the image of Goa Police. The Crime Branch sleuths have now registered the case under Sections 143, 147, 148 and 149 (for rioting), 352 and 354 (for assault), 440, 447, 448 (for trespass) and most important that all police personnel allegedly involved in the case have been booked under Section 120B (for hatching criminal conspiracy).
Section 120B of IPC states that being part of a criminal conspiracy to commit a serious offense punishable with death or imprisonment can lead to punishment as if one had abetted the offence, while being part of a conspiracy for other offences can result in imprisonment up to six months or a fine, or both.
Sources also revealed that if need arises, all the cops involved in the case will be arrested.
