Retd Justice to monitor investigations into case

Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa accepted advocate general Devidas Pangam’s suggestion to appoint retired high court judge Justice R M S Khandeparkar to monitor investigations into the alleged police assault on lawyer Gajanan Sawant.

The high court directed the state to issue necessary orders and make provisions for the payment of suitable remuneration and other facilities to enable Justice Khandeparkar to monitor investigations.

“Since the arrest issue is in the investigation domain, we are sure that even this aspect will be appropriately monitored depending on the materials collected during investigations,” the high court stated.

Pangam assured the court that investigations would be completed, preferably within two months, and stated that disciplinary proceedings against police personnel involved would be expedited and taken to a logical conclusion.

Under secretary (home) Vivek Krishna Naik submitted to the court that investigating agencies are endeavouring to uncover the truth about the incident and added that the North Goa district collector is conducting a magisterial inquiry and will submit a report within six weeks.

The terms of reference of the inquiry are to ascertain if there was any misuse of authority by police officials concerned, to investigate the FIR filed by both parties, and to ascertain if there was any violation or lapse by police personnel.

Naik added that a preliminary inquiry had been initiated on December 16 against the police officials who were placed under suspension on December 13.

The terms of reference of the inquiry are to ascertain if there was any misuse of authority by police officials concerned, to investigate the FIR filed by both parties, and to ascertain if there was any violation or lapse by police personnel