Two let off after bypoll officer backtracks

Panaji: A Merces court on Friday acquitted Mahendra Dharwatkar and Adil Sheikh, residents of Mala and St Inez, for restraining and abusing a flying squad officer during the Panaji bypolls in May 2019. The officer told the court he did not wish to pursue the complaint and that he was deposing of his free will, as it was over 7 years since the incident occurred.

He said there was no physical injury caused to him. He also stated that he could not identify the accused persons due to the lapse of time.

The third accused person, Nasir Beig, expired during the pendency of proceedings. The trio was booked for abusing flying squad officer Manoj Vasant Mor and violating the model code of conduct. The officer had stated that the accused persons restrained him from discharging his lawful duty.

Mor told the court that there was no coercion from any person to settle the case.

“No doubt the accused no. 1 and 2 restrained, abused and used criminal force; however, during trial, Mor deposed that he does not wish to proceed with the present case. In view of the version of Mor, I find that nothing survives in the matter,” the court stated.

It observed that the benefit of doubt had to be given to the accused persons and that the prosecution could not establish the offences against them as the officer did not depose anything incriminating.