PANJIM: After 12 years, the Mapusa Court acquitted political analyst Trajano D’Mello in an election-related cases.
The Mapusa police had chargesheeted Trajano for offences punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 127A of Representation of peoples Act 1951 and Section 6 of Cable Television Network Regulation Act 1955.
According to the prosecution, in February 2012, Trajano who was contesting Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Saligao constituency, printed and published election pamphlets without mentioning the name and address of the printer and publisher. Also a local news channel re-telecast the advertisement in the name of the candidate without obtaining permission from the District Magistrate certification and monitoring committee and thereby the accused disobeyed the order promulgated. During the hearing, Trajano denied the case of the prosecution and stated that was falsely implicated in the crime.
The complaint was filed by the then Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Jayant Tari, who was the returning officer for Siolim and Saligao Assembly constituencies.
However, Tari stated that two show cause notices and reply/letters submitted by Trajano and annexures with respect to Saligao Assembly constituency candidate, were not traceable in the office of Deputy Collector and SDO, Mapusa and that the said documents were also not traceable in the office of the North Goa Collector, despite thorough search.
Judicial Magistrate First Class (JFMC), Mapusa, Nilima Kankonkar, in her order noted that the prosecution failed to produce any document to show that any missing complaint was lodged either by the North Goa Collector or by the Deputy Collector and SDO, Mapusa with respect to the documents which were missing. The approach of the North Goa Collector and Deputy Collector and SDO was casual despite the fact that the criminal proceedings with respect to the matter was pending before the court.
Adv Y Teli argued on behalf of Trajano D’Mello while assistant public prosecutor T Kolamkar represented the State.
Reacting to the court order, Trajano said, “It took 12 years to say that there was no evidence. It was harassment because I contested as an independent candidate against candidates supported by the Congress and BJP. The leaders of these parties combined and used government machinery to harass me and my workers making us difficult to campaign in the constituency.”