Industrialist Sarvesh Timblo gets temporary releif

PANJIM: Industrialist Sarvesh Timblo, who was accused by former Xelvona panch Mariano Mascarenhasin in an attempt to murder him, got temporary relief from the High Court of Bombay at Goa.

The single judge of Justice NA Britto, while dismissing Timblo's anticipatory bail observed that the applicant Timblo is not required and his arrest would depend on further interrogation sought by the police.

The police in their reply to the application for anticipatory bail filed by Timblo, submitted that CID, Crime branch had called Timblo twice for interrogation to clarify certain aspects of investigations. However, citing reasons that he was out of station, he didn't join the investigation and preferred to file Anticipatory Bail application before the District and Sessions court, Margao, which rejected it.

The police further submitted that there is prima facie material, which shows that Timblo was involved in an offence punishable with imprisonment for life and his presence is required in police custody to interrogate him in detail with respect to his role in the crime.

However, the High Court observed that in the present circumstances, the application is infractuous and dismissed it. The Court also made it clear that if Timblo is to be arrested, then 10 days notice has to be given to Timblo to approach the High Court for anticipatory bail. If the police want to interrogate without arresting Timblo, then they can interrogate him with a 48 hours notice.

Timblo's role in the attempted murder came to light when Mariano in his statement before Executive Magistrate, Quepem on April 21, 2006 said that he suspected that Timblo and Rajesh Dessai are responsible for the attack on his life. According to Mariano, the motive behind the attack was the dust pollution while transporting iron ore for which Timblo had given contract to Rajesh, which was being stopped by him and other Xelvona villagers as it was causing dust pollution and affecting their health.

Further, in his statement Mariano said that Timblo threatened him, after Curchorem police arrested the staff members of Pandurang Timblo Industries on January 26, 2006 for loading the iron ore at night that he would show him through Rajesh. However, the police in their application before the Court submitted that the phone service provider has not yet provided the proper call details of Mariano, which were requested for. The police, meanwhile, are trying to obtain the call details of all phone numbers that belong to Timblo.