Ten anti-coal activists, who were charged by Goa police for their participation in the November 1-2, 2020 Chandor midnight protest, will face trial as their plea for discharge was rejected by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Margao. JMFC Manisha Narvekar passed the order on Wednesday morning after adjourning the matter on multiple occasions. The activists, including Abhijit Prabhudesai, Freddy Travasso, Vikas Bhagat, John Douglas Coutinho, Diana Tavares, Creson Antao, Viriato Fernandes, Royla Fernandes, and Sabita Mascarenhas, have decided to challenge the court's decision in a higher court.
The Maina-Curtorim police charged these activists for obstructing the Chandor road during the midnight protest. The prosecution argued that they formed an unlawful assembly and obstructed vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement, protesting against an order issued by the District Collector South Goa regarding the double tracking of the railway track. The prosecution cited Sections 143, 145, 341, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The accused individuals contested the prosecution's claims, stating that there is no evidence to implicate them in the alleged incident. They argued that their names do not appear in the complaint and requested to be discharged from the case. However, their discharge applications were rejected by the court, meaning they will proceed to trial. The trial is scheduled to commence next month.