Pooja Sharma’s lawyer alleges political interference in investigations

PANJIM: The hearing on Pooja Sharma’s anticipatory bail application in the alleged Assagao house demolition was again adjourned to Monday, July 8, even as the applicant’s lawyer stated that there was political interference in the investigations.   

On behalf of the applicant, Senior Counsel Surendra Dessai along with Advocate Pavithran A V presented the case before the Principal District and Sessions Court, Panjim. 

The defence lawyer submitted that the investigation is politicised. They mentioned that the Chief Minister went to Assagao, then the local two MLAs, husband and wife (*Michael Lobo and Delilah) came there. They were the people who were elected on Congress tickets and shifted to the BJP. He said that it is politicised and investigation is getting affected as politics is playing its part. The government wanted to arrest her due to political pressure, they stated.

They said that the investigation was not independent.

The counsels reiterated that their client was innocent and that there was pressure from authorities to arrest her. Pooja Sharma was not involved in the demolition of the house on June 22 and that she did not even visit the State, they said.

The Crime Branch investigating the case had stated that Sharma was evading arrest since the commissioning of the crime and despite sending a third notice to her under Section 41 A of CrPC on Friday. The Crime Branch has opposed the anticipatory bail application.

But for want of time, the matter was adjourned for the third time and posted for arguments on Monday morning.