Rs 65L college equipment lies unused
Pharmacy College Paid In Full Without Delivery Of Quality Machinery: Report
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a shocking development, state-of-the-art equipment purchased in 2006 at the cost of Rs 65 lakh for use at the Goa college of pharmacy is lying unused at the institution.
A sub-committee, appointed by the college management, that looked into the purchases noted, “Prima facie, it is a case for further investigation. The installation report of the machines has been prepared without checking and actually installing the equipment. The 100% payment was done without getting quality equipment delivered. (There has been) no benefit to students despite (the equipment) lying in (the) college for more than one year”.
The report of the sub-committee was submitted to the state government on October 11, 2008. Technical education director Vivek Kamat confirmed the receipt of the report, but said, “At this stage, we can’t say anything. We have asked for some more information.”
Officiating college principal M G Pai, however, refused to comment on the report and said, “The matter is with the government. Let the government go through the matter and if there is anything we will take action.”
The pharmacy college with 450 students, one of the oldest institutes in the state, has been constantly gripped by problems due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities.
In 2006, chief secretary J P Singh had sanctioned the additional funds for acquiring machinery and equipment for the college. The machines purchased included, telemetry DSI data acquisition, auto track animal activity meter, hot plate analgesic meter and biopack, organ bath set-up, rat restrainer, ECG and other equipment worth Rs 65 lakh. These machines, used for developing new drugs and studying the effect of drugs on animals, were purchased from Gentech Marketing and Distribution (P) Ltd in August 2006.
According to the report, besides procedural lapses, there are also technical lapses. “It appears that the purchase committee decided to purchase the equipment on its own initiative. All members (were) not aware as there are no minutes of any meeting/s of the purchase committee and the signatures of all members are not available especially at crucial decision points,” the report states.
Besides procedural lapses, the report points out to technical flaws in the purchase. “While quoting (for) this item, M/s Gentech included an additional cost of $2800 towards training. As per the special conditions of the tender, the training should have been free. Installation of the equipment and the training is suspect, since M/s Gentech has specifically stated that a ‘starter kit’ is for training and demonstration. This essential part was supplied only in May 2008. Even on May 22, 2008, the company failed to demonstrate the proper working of the machinery”, the report notes.
Noting that instead of installing the equipment, it was dumped in a room, the report added, “All the payments were made in advance. Ninety per cent (of the) payment was to be made against irrevocable letter of credit or draft at sight. The balance 10% was to be paid on completion of supply, installation and acceptance of the equipment. Advance payment was not allowed.”
October 21, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Sexual Abuse case German woman lodges plaint against Jennifer
SEXUAL ABUSE CASE
German woman lodges plaint against Jennifer
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German mother, who has alleged that her minor daughter has been raped and sexually abused by the education minister’s son Rohit Monserrate, has now lodged a complaint against Rohit’s mother Jennifer for coming to her house on October 3 to coax her to withdraw the complaint filed by her (German mother).
The German mother had filed a complaint on October 2, alleging, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much elder than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of a Panaji school last year and is now studying in an open school.
The mother, in her latest complaint to the police, alleged that Jennifer had “come to my house on the evening of October 3, 2008 in an attempt to coax me to withdraw the complaint.”
Stating that she was surprised that Jennifer is denying coming to her house, she
said, “I have now found the piece of paper on which Mrs Jennifer Monserrate in her own handwriting had written down her mobile numbers and asked me to call her to settle the issue.” The mother, in her letter to the police on Saturday, has demanded that an offence be registered against Jennifer under Section 195A of the IPC r/w Section 506 of IPC.
When contacted, SP (North) Bosco George admitted that he had received the complaint. “We will investigate it with the existing complaint against Rohit Monserrate and his father.”
The German mother’s counsel Aires Rodrigues alleged, “Jennifer, instead of facing the truth, has tried to malign a fourteen-year-old child. She had first tried to convince the mother along with Rohit’s girlfriend and a teacher from a school in Panaji. However, the mother is determined to take the case to its logical conclusion.”
He added that they would demand that the paper with Jennifer’s handwriting should be sent for handwriting verification.
October 19,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German woman lodges plaint against Jennifer
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German mother, who has alleged that her minor daughter has been raped and sexually abused by the education minister’s son Rohit Monserrate, has now lodged a complaint against Rohit’s mother Jennifer for coming to her house on October 3 to coax her to withdraw the complaint filed by her (German mother).
The German mother had filed a complaint on October 2, alleging, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much elder than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of a Panaji school last year and is now studying in an open school.
The mother, in her latest complaint to the police, alleged that Jennifer had “come to my house on the evening of October 3, 2008 in an attempt to coax me to withdraw the complaint.”
Stating that she was surprised that Jennifer is denying coming to her house, she
said, “I have now found the piece of paper on which Mrs Jennifer Monserrate in her own handwriting had written down her mobile numbers and asked me to call her to settle the issue.” The mother, in her letter to the police on Saturday, has demanded that an offence be registered against Jennifer under Section 195A of the IPC r/w Section 506 of IPC.
When contacted, SP (North) Bosco George admitted that he had received the complaint. “We will investigate it with the existing complaint against Rohit Monserrate and his father.”
The German mother’s counsel Aires Rodrigues alleged, “Jennifer, instead of facing the truth, has tried to malign a fourteen-year-old child. She had first tried to convince the mother along with Rohit’s girlfriend and a teacher from a school in Panaji. However, the mother is determined to take the case to its logical conclusion.”
He added that they would demand that the paper with Jennifer’s handwriting should be sent for handwriting verification.
October 19,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German girl gets into public fight with mom
German girl gets into public fight with mom
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The 14-year-old German girl allegedy raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit on Saturday once again refused to let the police record her statement. She also got into a public fight with her mother.
The police had fixed a meeting at among the girl, child activists and child clinical psychologists at 4 pm at her residence to record her statement. However, the girl refused to give her statement and insisted with her mother that she wanted to go to Panaji to meet a friend, police sources told TOI.
“When the mother disagreed, there was an argument between the two. The girl was then put in a police jeep to be taken to Panaji. But she jumped out, threw her purse at her mother and insisted on taking a bus. The child activists intervened and took her to Panaji in a car, followed by the police vehicle,” police sources said.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “She did have an argument with her mother. We are still waiting for her statement and would like to have her statement as soon as possible.”
Incidentally, the minor has been described by a former teacher as a “quiet, self-contained” girl with a good academic record. “She, however, tends to get distracted easily in class. This has resulted in low grades,” she said.
Aires, Prajal discharged
Panaji: Activist and advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande, who were attacked by some masked men at a city hotel on Monday night, were discharged from hospital on Saturday. Meanwhile, the police are still to make any breakthrough in the investigations into the case. Although five persons were arrested from Mahabaleswar on Friday, no real link has been established so far. ‘She was a good student in bad company’
Panaji: The German girl allegedly raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit is intelligent but would easily get distracted in class, resulting in low grades, according to a former teacher.
“She needs to pull herself up through concentrated study to improve her marks, especially in French, maths and science,” states her progress report for the first term 2007-2008 prepared by her class teacher on October 6, 2007.
She was studying in a popular school in the capital city and had scored excellent marks in German but flunked French, maths and science.
Now she is is doing her Standard X through the National Institute of Open Schooling and will be taking her board exams next year.
Her mother recollects how good her daughter was in Bharatnatyam and how she had won accolades for participation in Marathi and Konkani school plays.
“She was a very good student. But it is all over now. I had tried several times to get her to develop new hobbies and enrolled her in several classes, but failed. That is very sad, especially because she is very talented,” said the mother.
“She got into bad company and somehow things changed. I wanted to be a liberal mother but when I realised what my daughter was going through it was too late,” she said.
Stating that “we are all social beings who like to choose our friends and company”, she said, “I thought her friends were honest. But nobody can see through a person’s heart. Most of them were my daughter’s age and would go out together. I did not find anything abnormal till I saw the SMSs.”
October 19,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The 14-year-old German girl allegedy raped by Goa education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit on Saturday once again refused to let the police record her statement. She also got into a public fight with her mother.
The police had fixed a meeting at among the girl, child activists and child clinical psychologists at 4 pm at her residence to record her statement. However, the girl refused to give her statement and insisted with her mother that she wanted to go to Panaji to meet a friend, police sources told TOI.
“When the mother disagreed, there was an argument between the two. The girl was then put in a police jeep to be taken to Panaji. But she jumped out, threw her purse at her mother and insisted on taking a bus. The child activists intervened and took her to Panaji in a car, followed by the police vehicle,” police sources said.
SP (North) Bosco George said, “She did have an argument with her mother. We are still waiting for her statement and would like to have her statement as soon as possible.”
Incidentally, the minor has been described by a former teacher as a “quiet, self-contained” girl with a good academic record. “She, however, tends to get distracted easily in class. This has resulted in low grades,” she said.
Aires, Prajal discharged
Panaji: Activist and advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande, who were attacked by some masked men at a city hotel on Monday night, were discharged from hospital on Saturday. Meanwhile, the police are still to make any breakthrough in the investigations into the case. Although five persons were arrested from Mahabaleswar on Friday, no real link has been established so far. ‘She was a good student in bad company’
Panaji: The German girl allegedly raped by education minister Atanasio Monserrate’s son Rohit is intelligent but would easily get distracted in class, resulting in low grades, according to a former teacher.
“She needs to pull herself up through concentrated study to improve her marks, especially in French, maths and science,” states her progress report for the first term 2007-2008 prepared by her class teacher on October 6, 2007.
She was studying in a popular school in the capital city and had scored excellent marks in German but flunked French, maths and science.
Now she is is doing her Standard X through the National Institute of Open Schooling and will be taking her board exams next year.
Her mother recollects how good her daughter was in Bharatnatyam and how she had won accolades for participation in Marathi and Konkani school plays.
“She was a very good student. But it is all over now. I had tried several times to get her to develop new hobbies and enrolled her in several classes, but failed. That is very sad, especially because she is very talented,” said the mother.
“She got into bad company and somehow things changed. I wanted to be a liberal mother but when I realised what my daughter was going through it was too late,” she said.
Stating that “we are all social beings who like to choose our friends and company”, she said, “I thought her friends were honest. But nobody can see through a person’s heart. Most of them were my daughter’s age and would go out together. I did not find anything abnormal till I saw the SMSs.”
October 19,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, October 17, 2008
SEARCH CONTINUES ‘We do not know where Rohit is’
SEARCH CONTINUES
‘We do not know where Rohit is’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Education minister’s son Rohit Monserrate will not be able to leave the country now with the police issuing a lookout circular against him.
“If a person is not available for investigations, we issue a LOC. We have no knowledge where Rohit is. Neither have we received any missing complaint,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Incidentally, cops who had raided Monserrate’s houses on Tuesday in search of Rohit after registering a complaint against him for sexually assaulting, outraging the modesty and raping the minor, have decided to put off Rohit’s arrest, till the minor’s statement is recorded.
“Till we take the girl’s statement or do a medical examination, we will defer the arrest,” said SP George.
For the third consecutive day police, who had sought the help of child activist and child clinical psychologist to counsel the girl to give her statement and go for a medical examination, failed to get a positive response.
“The minor had in the past attempted to commit suicide twice and we don’t want to put any pressure on the girl,” said a senior police official.
The police believe that though the case may weaken without the minor’s statement or medical examination, it will not collapse. “I don’t think that the case will collapse. There is sufficient material for investigations to continue in this case,” said SP George.
Meanwhile, the police recorded the detailed statement of the mother and attached the mobile along with the SIM card and will be sending it to CFSL, Hyderabad for forensic examinations. They have also attached the minor’s passport which confirms her age as 14 years.
Police sources said that the mother has given detailed information of the last one year and explained how and when her daughter was abused by Rohit. “We have recorded the mother’s detailed statement. She was cooperative,” SP George added.
Incidentally, Jennifer Monserrate, mother of Rohit, who has also been served summons by the Calangute police to appear before them at 10 am on Thursday, didn’t turn up. The German mother had alleged that Jennifer had gone to her house on October 3, asking her to withdraw the complaint.
October 17, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘We do not know where Rohit is’
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Education minister’s son Rohit Monserrate will not be able to leave the country now with the police issuing a lookout circular against him.
“If a person is not available for investigations, we issue a LOC. We have no knowledge where Rohit is. Neither have we received any missing complaint,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Incidentally, cops who had raided Monserrate’s houses on Tuesday in search of Rohit after registering a complaint against him for sexually assaulting, outraging the modesty and raping the minor, have decided to put off Rohit’s arrest, till the minor’s statement is recorded.
“Till we take the girl’s statement or do a medical examination, we will defer the arrest,” said SP George.
For the third consecutive day police, who had sought the help of child activist and child clinical psychologist to counsel the girl to give her statement and go for a medical examination, failed to get a positive response.
“The minor had in the past attempted to commit suicide twice and we don’t want to put any pressure on the girl,” said a senior police official.
The police believe that though the case may weaken without the minor’s statement or medical examination, it will not collapse. “I don’t think that the case will collapse. There is sufficient material for investigations to continue in this case,” said SP George.
Meanwhile, the police recorded the detailed statement of the mother and attached the mobile along with the SIM card and will be sending it to CFSL, Hyderabad for forensic examinations. They have also attached the minor’s passport which confirms her age as 14 years.
Police sources said that the mother has given detailed information of the last one year and explained how and when her daughter was abused by Rohit. “We have recorded the mother’s detailed statement. She was cooperative,” SP George added.
Incidentally, Jennifer Monserrate, mother of Rohit, who has also been served summons by the Calangute police to appear before them at 10 am on Thursday, didn’t turn up. The German mother had alleged that Jennifer had gone to her house on October 3, asking her to withdraw the complaint.
October 17, The Times of India, Goa edition
Now, a complaint against Naik’s son
Now, a complaint against Naik’s son
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: A day after Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate alleged that home minister Ravi Naik had allowed the police to book rape charges against his son Rohit while ignoring cases against his own son Roy, an NGO filed a complaint with the Panaji police alleging Roy’s involvement in the murders of Britishers Scarlett Keeling and Stephen Bennett.
The NGO’s complaint was based solely on purported newspaper reports in Britain and posts on the internet.
The NGO, Green Goa Foundation, claimed to take up matters of public interest.
When contacted, SP (North) Bosco George said, “I have not received the copy of the complaint. However, we have investigated the Scarlett case and filed the chargesheet. Now the CBI is investigating the case. Bennett’s murder investigation doesn’t concern Goa police as the incident occurred in Maharashtra.”
Green Goa Foundation said in its complaint that Goa was a high profile tourist destination and it was therefore essential that a wrong impression about the safety and security of foreign tourists is not given.
October 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: A day after Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate alleged that home minister Ravi Naik had allowed the police to book rape charges against his son Rohit while ignoring cases against his own son Roy, an NGO filed a complaint with the Panaji police alleging Roy’s involvement in the murders of Britishers Scarlett Keeling and Stephen Bennett.
The NGO’s complaint was based solely on purported newspaper reports in Britain and posts on the internet.
The NGO, Green Goa Foundation, claimed to take up matters of public interest.
When contacted, SP (North) Bosco George said, “I have not received the copy of the complaint. However, we have investigated the Scarlett case and filed the chargesheet. Now the CBI is investigating the case. Bennett’s murder investigation doesn’t concern Goa police as the incident occurred in Maharashtra.”
Green Goa Foundation said in its complaint that Goa was a high profile tourist destination and it was therefore essential that a wrong impression about the safety and security of foreign tourists is not given.
October 17,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German minor girl:Rohit’s parents vouch for his innocence
Rohit’s parents vouch for his innocence
Accuse Ravi Naik Of Targeting Their Family, Claim Cops Acting In Biased Manner
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The parents of Rohit Monseratte, who has been accused of raping a minor German girl, on Wednesday night claimed that their son is innocent and that they were trying to locate him. They alleged that home minister Ravi Naik was targeting the education minister and his family and the police were acting in a “biased manner”.
“We are trying to locate Rohit. He is not in the house and we don’t know where he is. It has been over a week and he has not contacted us,” said Rohit’s mother Jennifer Monseratte. Babush however said that Rohit is “very much around”. Speaking to presspersons, Jennifer, who has also been served summons by the Calangute police on Wednesday to appear before them, said, “I am here to give my side of the story. The police have not followed proper procedures in filing the FIR. The girl has neither given her statement nor has she been sent for a medical examination, yet the police has registered a case against my son and accused him of rape”. My son is not even friends with the minor girl, the mother added.
“If there has been rape, when and where was the minor raped? Why is the police working hard to cajole the girl to go for a medical examination? If she was raped she would have willingly gone to the hospital,” she said.
She alleged that the messages may have been manipulated. “I don’t even know who was using the cellphone. Rohit was definitely not using the mobile phone from which the SMSs were sent,” she said.
“Everytime they want to get at my husband, my children are targeted. This time Rohit is being targeted when the mobile is not even in his name. The mobile to which the SMSs were sent is not in the girl’s name but in her mother’s. Maybe someone had sent the SMSs to the mother,” alleged Jennifer. When asked if her husband, in whose name the mobile Rohit used is said to be registered, sent the SMSs to the German woman, she just smiled. Explaining why her son is scared to come home, she said that her children don’t trust the Goa police. “We don’t think our children can be safe with the police, especially after the manner in which my second son Amit was dragged and beaten up by the police in February”, she said.
Casting aspersions on the character of the girl, Jennifer asked, “The minor is not in school. What kind of a girl is she if she can be lured by gifts? Why are the police taking the foreigner’s words as gospel truth. Is this one big conspiracy?” Jennifer also denied going to the German mother’s home. The German mother had alleged that Jennifer had gone to her house on October 3, asking her to withdraw the complaint.
“The police are controlled by the home minister. Why is the police department using a different yardstick for me and my sons and a different yardstick for him and his sons. There were so many allegations against his family but the police never acted,” alleged Babush. Asked if he feared an arrest in this case, he said anything was possible. “They have done it before, and can do it again.” Alleging that the Goa police are biased against his family, he said, “Ravi Naik is targeting me and using the entire police force against me. It’s for the chief minister, cabinet members and other MLAs to realise that today it’s my family but tomorrow it can be their family.
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Accuse Ravi Naik Of Targeting Their Family, Claim Cops Acting In Biased Manner
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The parents of Rohit Monseratte, who has been accused of raping a minor German girl, on Wednesday night claimed that their son is innocent and that they were trying to locate him. They alleged that home minister Ravi Naik was targeting the education minister and his family and the police were acting in a “biased manner”.
“We are trying to locate Rohit. He is not in the house and we don’t know where he is. It has been over a week and he has not contacted us,” said Rohit’s mother Jennifer Monseratte. Babush however said that Rohit is “very much around”. Speaking to presspersons, Jennifer, who has also been served summons by the Calangute police on Wednesday to appear before them, said, “I am here to give my side of the story. The police have not followed proper procedures in filing the FIR. The girl has neither given her statement nor has she been sent for a medical examination, yet the police has registered a case against my son and accused him of rape”. My son is not even friends with the minor girl, the mother added.
“If there has been rape, when and where was the minor raped? Why is the police working hard to cajole the girl to go for a medical examination? If she was raped she would have willingly gone to the hospital,” she said.
She alleged that the messages may have been manipulated. “I don’t even know who was using the cellphone. Rohit was definitely not using the mobile phone from which the SMSs were sent,” she said.
“Everytime they want to get at my husband, my children are targeted. This time Rohit is being targeted when the mobile is not even in his name. The mobile to which the SMSs were sent is not in the girl’s name but in her mother’s. Maybe someone had sent the SMSs to the mother,” alleged Jennifer. When asked if her husband, in whose name the mobile Rohit used is said to be registered, sent the SMSs to the German woman, she just smiled. Explaining why her son is scared to come home, she said that her children don’t trust the Goa police. “We don’t think our children can be safe with the police, especially after the manner in which my second son Amit was dragged and beaten up by the police in February”, she said.
Casting aspersions on the character of the girl, Jennifer asked, “The minor is not in school. What kind of a girl is she if she can be lured by gifts? Why are the police taking the foreigner’s words as gospel truth. Is this one big conspiracy?” Jennifer also denied going to the German mother’s home. The German mother had alleged that Jennifer had gone to her house on October 3, asking her to withdraw the complaint.
“The police are controlled by the home minister. Why is the police department using a different yardstick for me and my sons and a different yardstick for him and his sons. There were so many allegations against his family but the police never acted,” alleged Babush. Asked if he feared an arrest in this case, he said anything was possible. “They have done it before, and can do it again.” Alleging that the Goa police are biased against his family, he said, “Ravi Naik is targeting me and using the entire police force against me. It’s for the chief minister, cabinet members and other MLAs to realise that today it’s my family but tomorrow it can be their family.
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Prostitution racket busted at Porvorim
Prostitution racket busted at Porvorim
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Crime branch sleuths busted a prostitution racket operating from a car on NH 17 at O Coqueiro junction, Porvorim and rescued three women. However, the person accused of procuring girls for running the racket is absconding.
Investigating officer PI (crime branch) Sunita Sawant said, “Acting on information that a man was getting girls in Wagon R to the junction for the purpose of prostitution, we reached the spot when we saw three women sitting in the wagon R. Nobody was in the driver’s seat and these three women
were sitting in the back seat.”
According to the PI, these women were brought to Goa with a promise of a job in the hotel industry. When they reached Goa from Mumbai, they were pushed into prostitution and told that they would be paid Rs 15,000 at the end of 15 days. The girls, two of them from West Bengal and one from Assam, all in their early twenties, said they had come by bus from Mumbai two days back and were picked up by one Patel from the Panaji bus stand.
They were taken to the same spot everyday at 5 pm and picked up the next morning. Explaining the modus operandi, PI Sawant said, “Patel would park the car with the women near the Karnataka bank and then go to the busy junction at Porvorim to procure customers. The customers had to hire a taxi in which they took the women for the night. Next morning, the women had to be dropped at the same spot”, said PI Sawant. According to the women, the customers had to pay Rs 6,000 per night to Patel, of which Rs 1000 was paid to the girls.
Patel has been booked by the police for procuring girls, forcing them into prostitution, living on their earnings and indulging in prostitution within 200m of the place of worship, ie the Holy Family church.
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Crime branch sleuths busted a prostitution racket operating from a car on NH 17 at O Coqueiro junction, Porvorim and rescued three women. However, the person accused of procuring girls for running the racket is absconding.
Investigating officer PI (crime branch) Sunita Sawant said, “Acting on information that a man was getting girls in Wagon R to the junction for the purpose of prostitution, we reached the spot when we saw three women sitting in the wagon R. Nobody was in the driver’s seat and these three women
were sitting in the back seat.”
According to the PI, these women were brought to Goa with a promise of a job in the hotel industry. When they reached Goa from Mumbai, they were pushed into prostitution and told that they would be paid Rs 15,000 at the end of 15 days. The girls, two of them from West Bengal and one from Assam, all in their early twenties, said they had come by bus from Mumbai two days back and were picked up by one Patel from the Panaji bus stand.
They were taken to the same spot everyday at 5 pm and picked up the next morning. Explaining the modus operandi, PI Sawant said, “Patel would park the car with the women near the Karnataka bank and then go to the busy junction at Porvorim to procure customers. The customers had to hire a taxi in which they took the women for the night. Next morning, the women had to be dropped at the same spot”, said PI Sawant. According to the women, the customers had to pay Rs 6,000 per night to Patel, of which Rs 1000 was paid to the girls.
Patel has been booked by the police for procuring girls, forcing them into prostitution, living on their earnings and indulging in prostitution within 200m of the place of worship, ie the Holy Family church.
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa
German minors case;Twist in tale: Girl tries to save Rohit
Twist in tale: Girl tries to save Rohit
Refuses To Testify, Revolts Against Mother
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: In a fresh twist to the alleged rape case involving the Goa education minister’s elder son Rohit and a German minor, the girl has refused to give her statement to the police and subject herself to a medical examination.
“We can’t wait too long. If the girl fails to give her statement, we will have a difficult case on our hands,” said superintendent of police (North) Bosco George. “She is under psychological counselling and we are hopeful that she will give her statement,” he added.
The police are still searching for Rohit, who is absconding. “If he thinks he is innocent, Babush should produce his son before the police,” said George. The option of arresting Babush is also open, he added. The police have provided armed security to the mother and daughter.
A police team, along with a child activist, had gone to the minor’s residence on Tuesday night to convince her to give her statement and submit herself to a medical examination. “However, the minor threw a tantrum, locked herself up in a room and refused to meet anyone,” said a police official. On Wednesday, a police team accompanied by a child activist and a child clinical psychologist again went to meet the girl and her mother.
Police sources said the minor’s statement and medical examination is crucial to the case as the mother’s complaint on Tuesday had alleged that state education minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate’s son Rohit had sexually assaulted her daughter, outraged her modesty and raped her, offences punishable under section 354 and 376 of IPC.
However, Aires Rodrigues, the woman’s counsel, said the girl’s statement is not important as copies of SMSs sent by Rohit have been produced before the police. “The case will not fall apart. As per the Goa Children’s Act, the onus is on the accused to prove he is not guilty. Let Rohit prove that he has not sexually abused the minor,” he said.
Rodrigues added that the girl will give her statement and even go for a medical examination. At the moment, the mother is going through a trauma and the child is also scared, he said, adding, “The minor is under pressure from Rohit and is protective of him.”
Recollecting about a call the mother received from her minor daughter after she filed a complaint on October 2 at Calangute police station, Rodrigues said, “She called her mother and asked her to withdraw the complaint as she didn’t want Rohit to get into any trouble.”
The mother has also said that the daughter is upset and confused. “She thinks of Rohit as a friend and believes that I am against her friends. But I explained to her that what he did was wrong,” added the mother.
Police officials said they have asked for the call details of both Rohit and the minor girl. The police also handed over the FIR to the children’s court.
German consulate takes up case, writes to Goa
Panaji: Adding to the embarrassment of the Digambar Kamat government, the German consulate in Mumbai has written to the chief secretary regarding the sexual assault on a German minor girl allegedly by the state education minister’s elder son.
The German consulate requested chief secretary J P Singh to “ensure that the criminal investigation is pursued vigorously and that the safety of Ms X (name withheld) and her daughter is not compromised”. “The consulate general and our embassy in New Delhi have been seized of this matter and we are following the case with great concern,” the consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany, Walter Stechel, wrote. TNN
MONSERRATES DEFEND THEIR SON
Why are police trying to cajole the girl to go for a medical examination? If she was raped, she would have gone willingly to hospital.
The mobile to which SMSs were sent is in the mother’s name. Maybe someone was sending them to her
Police are controlled by the home minister. They never acted on allegations against his family
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Refuses To Testify, Revolts Against Mother
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: In a fresh twist to the alleged rape case involving the Goa education minister’s elder son Rohit and a German minor, the girl has refused to give her statement to the police and subject herself to a medical examination.
“We can’t wait too long. If the girl fails to give her statement, we will have a difficult case on our hands,” said superintendent of police (North) Bosco George. “She is under psychological counselling and we are hopeful that she will give her statement,” he added.
The police are still searching for Rohit, who is absconding. “If he thinks he is innocent, Babush should produce his son before the police,” said George. The option of arresting Babush is also open, he added. The police have provided armed security to the mother and daughter.
A police team, along with a child activist, had gone to the minor’s residence on Tuesday night to convince her to give her statement and submit herself to a medical examination. “However, the minor threw a tantrum, locked herself up in a room and refused to meet anyone,” said a police official. On Wednesday, a police team accompanied by a child activist and a child clinical psychologist again went to meet the girl and her mother.
Police sources said the minor’s statement and medical examination is crucial to the case as the mother’s complaint on Tuesday had alleged that state education minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate’s son Rohit had sexually assaulted her daughter, outraged her modesty and raped her, offences punishable under section 354 and 376 of IPC.
However, Aires Rodrigues, the woman’s counsel, said the girl’s statement is not important as copies of SMSs sent by Rohit have been produced before the police. “The case will not fall apart. As per the Goa Children’s Act, the onus is on the accused to prove he is not guilty. Let Rohit prove that he has not sexually abused the minor,” he said.
Rodrigues added that the girl will give her statement and even go for a medical examination. At the moment, the mother is going through a trauma and the child is also scared, he said, adding, “The minor is under pressure from Rohit and is protective of him.”
Recollecting about a call the mother received from her minor daughter after she filed a complaint on October 2 at Calangute police station, Rodrigues said, “She called her mother and asked her to withdraw the complaint as she didn’t want Rohit to get into any trouble.”
The mother has also said that the daughter is upset and confused. “She thinks of Rohit as a friend and believes that I am against her friends. But I explained to her that what he did was wrong,” added the mother.
Police officials said they have asked for the call details of both Rohit and the minor girl. The police also handed over the FIR to the children’s court.
German consulate takes up case, writes to Goa
Panaji: Adding to the embarrassment of the Digambar Kamat government, the German consulate in Mumbai has written to the chief secretary regarding the sexual assault on a German minor girl allegedly by the state education minister’s elder son.
The German consulate requested chief secretary J P Singh to “ensure that the criminal investigation is pursued vigorously and that the safety of Ms X (name withheld) and her daughter is not compromised”. “The consulate general and our embassy in New Delhi have been seized of this matter and we are following the case with great concern,” the consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany, Walter Stechel, wrote. TNN
MONSERRATES DEFEND THEIR SON
Why are police trying to cajole the girl to go for a medical examination? If she was raped, she would have gone willingly to hospital.
The mobile to which SMSs were sent is in the mother’s name. Maybe someone was sending them to her
Police are controlled by the home minister. They never acted on allegations against his family
October 16,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
German minor girl:Threats to girl’s mom
Threats to girl’s mom
Panaji: The German woman who filed a police complaint against Rohit Monserrate was allegedly threatened by a friend of the education minister. The woman alleges that a woman known to her visited her home on Monday and said she was a friend of the minister. She advised the German woman not to go ahead with the case if “I intended to live in Goa”. “I was told that the minister wanted to meet me. She called me again in the afternoon to go to his house but I was too scared and didn’t take her call,” she alleged. TNN I knew there would be trouble, says girl’s mother
Panaji: The German woman who has lodged a complaint against the state education minister’s son said she has received threats. Stating that she is scared, the German woman said, “I am shocked that they can stoop to such a level. When I complained against the minister’s son to the police, I knew there would be trouble in store for me. But I had to do it for the sake of my daughter.”
“My daughter is a bit confused, but fine. Rohit was destroying her life. Forcing her into smoking and drinking, besides abusing her. My daughter is a minor, she was depressed and tried to commit suicide,” added the mother.
The German woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues, who is in hospital, said, “As legal counsel we will make sure that the mother and the girl are safe.”
The German woman is in India on an X-visa, which permits the mother and daughter to stay together, the daughter is on a student visa valid upto May 2010.
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: The German woman who filed a police complaint against Rohit Monserrate was allegedly threatened by a friend of the education minister. The woman alleges that a woman known to her visited her home on Monday and said she was a friend of the minister. She advised the German woman not to go ahead with the case if “I intended to live in Goa”. “I was told that the minister wanted to meet me. She called me again in the afternoon to go to his house but I was too scared and didn’t take her call,” she alleged. TNN I knew there would be trouble, says girl’s mother
Panaji: The German woman who has lodged a complaint against the state education minister’s son said she has received threats. Stating that she is scared, the German woman said, “I am shocked that they can stoop to such a level. When I complained against the minister’s son to the police, I knew there would be trouble in store for me. But I had to do it for the sake of my daughter.”
“My daughter is a bit confused, but fine. Rohit was destroying her life. Forcing her into smoking and drinking, besides abusing her. My daughter is a minor, she was depressed and tried to commit suicide,” added the mother.
The German woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues, who is in hospital, said, “As legal counsel we will make sure that the mother and the girl are safe.”
The German woman is in India on an X-visa, which permits the mother and daughter to stay together, the daughter is on a student visa valid upto May 2010.
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German minor girl:They wanted to chop my neck: Aires Rodrigues
They wanted to chop my neck: Aires Rodrigues
Panaji: Advocate and activist Aires Rodrigues on Tuesday alleged that he was attacked the previous night because he had gathered evidence against eduction minister Atanasio Monserrate and his son. Rodrigues said, “I was attacked a night before we were supposed to produce the evidence before the police.”
Masked assailants had attacked Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande in a Panaji restaurant late on Monday. Recollecting the attack, a visibly shaken Rodrigues said, “As threats and persuasion didn’t work, it appears that the minister in frustration sent his goons to attack and eliminate me. When I, with friends, was having chicken xacuti at the restaurant, five or six masked men barged in and attacked me with knives and swords. They wanted to chop my neck, but I ducked and they cut my fingers. With my fingers hanging I was admitted to the hospital.”
Rodrigues who had been administered anaesthesia thrice was a bit dizzy, but put up a brave front. “Nothing will cow us down. Even if we have to lay our life for the cause of a brave mother, it will be a small sacrifice,” said Rodrigues.Rodrigues admitted that he had received phone calls from people in highly placed positions, as well as Babush’s friends asking him not to pursue the matter.
“They also tried to persuade the mother to drop the case. But she wants to pursue it. She wants to ensure that what has happened to her daughter, doesn’t happen to anybody else’s daughter,” added Rodrigues.
The police have posted security outside Rodrigues’ house in Ribandar. A Maruti car, in which the alleged accused travelled has been attached. Police sources said that the car was parked about 30 mts from the place where the attack took place.
3 held for assasult
The police have arrested three persons for Monday night’s attack on activist and advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande. Anthony Barreto and Normon John alias Bocho from Taleigao, and Sandeep Vaigankar from Tonca were arrested on Tuesday and remanded to seven days police custody. The three are also accused of attacking the Panaji police station in February. Police are not ruling out Monserrate’s involvement in the attack. “We are investigating the matter,” said the SP (north). TNN
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: Advocate and activist Aires Rodrigues on Tuesday alleged that he was attacked the previous night because he had gathered evidence against eduction minister Atanasio Monserrate and his son. Rodrigues said, “I was attacked a night before we were supposed to produce the evidence before the police.”
Masked assailants had attacked Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande in a Panaji restaurant late on Monday. Recollecting the attack, a visibly shaken Rodrigues said, “As threats and persuasion didn’t work, it appears that the minister in frustration sent his goons to attack and eliminate me. When I, with friends, was having chicken xacuti at the restaurant, five or six masked men barged in and attacked me with knives and swords. They wanted to chop my neck, but I ducked and they cut my fingers. With my fingers hanging I was admitted to the hospital.”
Rodrigues who had been administered anaesthesia thrice was a bit dizzy, but put up a brave front. “Nothing will cow us down. Even if we have to lay our life for the cause of a brave mother, it will be a small sacrifice,” said Rodrigues.Rodrigues admitted that he had received phone calls from people in highly placed positions, as well as Babush’s friends asking him not to pursue the matter.
“They also tried to persuade the mother to drop the case. But she wants to pursue it. She wants to ensure that what has happened to her daughter, doesn’t happen to anybody else’s daughter,” added Rodrigues.
The police have posted security outside Rodrigues’ house in Ribandar. A Maruti car, in which the alleged accused travelled has been attached. Police sources said that the car was parked about 30 mts from the place where the attack took place.
3 held for assasult
The police have arrested three persons for Monday night’s attack on activist and advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande. Anthony Barreto and Normon John alias Bocho from Taleigao, and Sandeep Vaigankar from Tonca were arrested on Tuesday and remanded to seven days police custody. The three are also accused of attacking the Panaji police station in February. Police are not ruling out Monserrate’s involvement in the attack. “We are investigating the matter,” said the SP (north). TNN
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German Minor girl;Goa
Cops unable to arrest Goa education minister’s son
Panaji: The police have been unable to arrest education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate’s son Rohit in connection with the rape of a German minor as he is not at home. “Notice under section 160 of CrPC has been served asking him to remain present on receipt of the summons,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Sources said that when the police reached the minister’s residence, Monserrate said his son was out of station. They however searched the house and, as Rohit couldn’t be traced, served the notice to Monserrate. “Now it’s the father’s responsibility to give the notice to his son and produce him before the police. Even Babush can be arrested under the Goa Children’s Act for abetment to the crime,” said a senior police official.
Rohit, 21, has also been charged with sending obscene SMSs to the girl and outraging her modesty under the Goa Children’s Act and the Indian Penal Code. If found guilty, he could face up to three years in prison. The case was registered after the girl’s mother filed a complaint against Monserrate and his son on Tuesday.
Aires Rodrigues said, “Once I confirmed that the mobile used by Rohit was actually in the minister’s name, I decided to meet the SP (North) with the mother on Tuesday morning to file a fresh complaint and provide all details and documents to help in the investigation.”
However, he was attacked before that. Rodrigues filed the complaint on Tuesday from his hospital bed. “After receiving the complaint, he promised immediate action,” added Rodrigues.
The German woman had first lodged a missing complaint with the Calangute police on October 2, stating, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much older than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of school last year and is now studying in an open school.
The woman has been staying in Goa with her daughter for the last 14 years. Her husband is in Germany.
In the fresh complaint to the SP (North), the mother alleged that though two weeks had passed since the first complaint was filed, the Calangute police had not registered an offence against Rohit.
“I am very concerned that police have not taken any action,” she said.
The German woman also alleged that Rohit’s mother had gone to her house on October 3 to coax her to withdraw the complaint. “It is obvious on perusal of the messages that Rohit was sexually abusing my daughter,” the complaint said. She further alleged that Rohit had committed offences under section 8 (2) of the Goa Children’s Act.
Once it was established that the mobile phone was registered in the education minister’s name, the German woman demanded that the police register a case against Monserrate for abetting the crime as the mobile was used by Rohit to send the SMSs to the minor girl.
Calangute police, accompanied by child activists went to the minor’s house to talk to her and take her for a medical test. The girl refused to submit herself to a test or even talk to the police.
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: The police have been unable to arrest education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate’s son Rohit in connection with the rape of a German minor as he is not at home. “Notice under section 160 of CrPC has been served asking him to remain present on receipt of the summons,” said SP (North) Bosco George.
Sources said that when the police reached the minister’s residence, Monserrate said his son was out of station. They however searched the house and, as Rohit couldn’t be traced, served the notice to Monserrate. “Now it’s the father’s responsibility to give the notice to his son and produce him before the police. Even Babush can be arrested under the Goa Children’s Act for abetment to the crime,” said a senior police official.
Rohit, 21, has also been charged with sending obscene SMSs to the girl and outraging her modesty under the Goa Children’s Act and the Indian Penal Code. If found guilty, he could face up to three years in prison. The case was registered after the girl’s mother filed a complaint against Monserrate and his son on Tuesday.
Aires Rodrigues said, “Once I confirmed that the mobile used by Rohit was actually in the minister’s name, I decided to meet the SP (North) with the mother on Tuesday morning to file a fresh complaint and provide all details and documents to help in the investigation.”
However, he was attacked before that. Rodrigues filed the complaint on Tuesday from his hospital bed. “After receiving the complaint, he promised immediate action,” added Rodrigues.
The German woman had first lodged a missing complaint with the Calangute police on October 2, stating, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much older than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of school last year and is now studying in an open school.
The woman has been staying in Goa with her daughter for the last 14 years. Her husband is in Germany.
In the fresh complaint to the SP (North), the mother alleged that though two weeks had passed since the first complaint was filed, the Calangute police had not registered an offence against Rohit.
“I am very concerned that police have not taken any action,” she said.
The German woman also alleged that Rohit’s mother had gone to her house on October 3 to coax her to withdraw the complaint. “It is obvious on perusal of the messages that Rohit was sexually abusing my daughter,” the complaint said. She further alleged that Rohit had committed offences under section 8 (2) of the Goa Children’s Act.
Once it was established that the mobile phone was registered in the education minister’s name, the German woman demanded that the police register a case against Monserrate for abetting the crime as the mobile was used by Rohit to send the SMSs to the minor girl.
Calangute police, accompanied by child activists went to the minor’s house to talk to her and take her for a medical test. The girl refused to submit herself to a test or even talk to the police.
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German minor’s rape
Police on Babush son’s trail for minor’s rape, raid houses
Monserrate Sr Faces Charges Of Abetment
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Police on Tuesday raided two houses of state education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate looking for his elder son Rohit, who has been booked for raping a minor German girl. The hunt has so far proved futile.
“We find there is a prima facie case and have registered a case of rape, outraging the modesty and molestation of a minor against Rohit. An offence has also been registered against his father for allegedly abetting the crime by handing over his mobile to send messages,” said SP (north)
Bosco George.
The police action appears to have been triggered by an attack on advocate and social activist Aires Rodrigues, who is counsel for the German girl’s mother, at about 10.30 pm on Monday. Two fingers on Rodrigues’s right hand were chopped off by some masked men who barged into a hotel where the advocate was sitting with his friends. His friend Prajal Sakhardande, a historian, was also injured in the attack.
The minister—who himself had led a mob in attacking the Panaji police station in February this year, injuring a number of cops—said he was dismayed that an attempt was being made to create an impression that “this assault is to silence Mr Aires from helping the German lady who is alleged to have certain allegations against my son”.
HOW STORY UNFOLDED
Oct 2: German woman lodges police complaint against Rohit for “sexually using” her minor daughter. Police lodge a missing complaint
Oct 3: The girl returns home, her mother informs police, who record the girl has been “traced”. The mother alleges Rohit’s mother Jennifer had called on her and asked her to withdraw complaint
Oct 10: Advocate Aires Rodrigues reveals details of the incident. SP (north) Bosco George asks DySP Gundu Naik to investigate the case
Oct 11: Police seek details from the mother. She says she can do so only after consulting her lawyer. Promises to meet the police at 11.30 am the following day
Oct 12: She doesn’t turn up, police send her a reminder
Oct 13: The police and a member of an NGO visit her to record her statement. She fixes appointment to lodge a complaint before SP (north) at 11.30 am on October 14. Rodrigues says cellular operator has confirmed the number from which obscene SMSs were sent was registered in Atanasio Monserrate name. Later in the night, Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande are assaulted by masked assailants in a Panaji restaurant
Oct 14: Several goons rounded up, three later arrested. Police transfer DySP Sammy Tavares as SDPO (Panaji). SP (north), DySP Naik and DySP Tavares visit Rodrigues in hospital, record the German’s complaint. SP promises immediate action. Monserrate’s houses in Miramar and Taleigao raided to arrest Rohit
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monserrate Sr Faces Charges Of Abetment
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Police on Tuesday raided two houses of state education minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate looking for his elder son Rohit, who has been booked for raping a minor German girl. The hunt has so far proved futile.
“We find there is a prima facie case and have registered a case of rape, outraging the modesty and molestation of a minor against Rohit. An offence has also been registered against his father for allegedly abetting the crime by handing over his mobile to send messages,” said SP (north)
Bosco George.
The police action appears to have been triggered by an attack on advocate and social activist Aires Rodrigues, who is counsel for the German girl’s mother, at about 10.30 pm on Monday. Two fingers on Rodrigues’s right hand were chopped off by some masked men who barged into a hotel where the advocate was sitting with his friends. His friend Prajal Sakhardande, a historian, was also injured in the attack.
The minister—who himself had led a mob in attacking the Panaji police station in February this year, injuring a number of cops—said he was dismayed that an attempt was being made to create an impression that “this assault is to silence Mr Aires from helping the German lady who is alleged to have certain allegations against my son”.
HOW STORY UNFOLDED
Oct 2: German woman lodges police complaint against Rohit for “sexually using” her minor daughter. Police lodge a missing complaint
Oct 3: The girl returns home, her mother informs police, who record the girl has been “traced”. The mother alleges Rohit’s mother Jennifer had called on her and asked her to withdraw complaint
Oct 10: Advocate Aires Rodrigues reveals details of the incident. SP (north) Bosco George asks DySP Gundu Naik to investigate the case
Oct 11: Police seek details from the mother. She says she can do so only after consulting her lawyer. Promises to meet the police at 11.30 am the following day
Oct 12: She doesn’t turn up, police send her a reminder
Oct 13: The police and a member of an NGO visit her to record her statement. She fixes appointment to lodge a complaint before SP (north) at 11.30 am on October 14. Rodrigues says cellular operator has confirmed the number from which obscene SMSs were sent was registered in Atanasio Monserrate name. Later in the night, Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande are assaulted by masked assailants in a Panaji restaurant
Oct 14: Several goons rounded up, three later arrested. Police transfer DySP Sammy Tavares as SDPO (Panaji). SP (north), DySP Naik and DySP Tavares visit Rodrigues in hospital, record the German’s complaint. SP promises immediate action. Monserrate’s houses in Miramar and Taleigao raided to arrest Rohit
October 15,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Aires attacked in Panaji hotel
Aires attacked in Panaji hotel
Masked Men Chop Off Fingers
TIMES NEWS NETWORK Panaji: Advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande were brutally assaulted by masked assailants in a Panaji hotel late Monday night.
According to advocate Jatin Naik, who was with the duo in Hotel Ashok, 5-6 assailants armed with a sword and knives, entered the premises around 10.30
and and asked for Rodrigues. Once he identified himself, the lawyer was attacked. Rodrigues, who lost two fingers on his right hand in the attack, and Sakhardande, with grievous head injuries, were admitted to Campal Clinic. Rodrigues is counsel for a German woman who has alleged that a minister’s son has been sending obscene SMSs to her minor daughter.
Aires didn’t say he was being threatened: SP George
Panaji: Advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande were attacked by masked miscreants on Monday night. Noted physician and activist Oscar Rebello, who was at Campal Clinic when Rodrigues and Sakhardande were rushed in, said, “Rodrigues was brought in soaked in blood. He had stab wounds. He has been taken to the operation theatre. Two fingers of his right hand have been chopped off and he has injuries on the head.”
Advocate Jatin Naik, who was with Rodrigues but had just gone out for a while, said, “When I was returning to my table I saw six or seven masked men telling each other in Konkani that ‘this is Aires who is creating trouble’ and they started attacking him. In the process Sakhardande, who was sitting next to Rodrigues was also severely injured.”
Eyewitnesses said Rodrigues, once attacked, ran into the hotel’s toilet and remained there till the assailants left. After Rodrigues ran into the toilet, the assailants started smashing bottles. The owner of the hotel had to plead with them to stop damaging his property.
SP (North) Bosco George, who visited the scene of the crime in the night, said investigations were on. He said Rodrigues had spoken to him 20 minutes before the assault but had not said he was being threatened.
Rodrigues’s friends who were with him at the hospital believe he had been attacked for supporting the German woman. Rodrigues was to meet George along with the woman and her child on Tuesday with all details against the minister’s son.
“If the police fail to act and arrest the accused within 24 hours, we would be forced to approach the human rights commission,” said Naik.
October 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Masked Men Chop Off Fingers
TIMES NEWS NETWORK Panaji: Advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande were brutally assaulted by masked assailants in a Panaji hotel late Monday night.
According to advocate Jatin Naik, who was with the duo in Hotel Ashok, 5-6 assailants armed with a sword and knives, entered the premises around 10.30
and and asked for Rodrigues. Once he identified himself, the lawyer was attacked. Rodrigues, who lost two fingers on his right hand in the attack, and Sakhardande, with grievous head injuries, were admitted to Campal Clinic. Rodrigues is counsel for a German woman who has alleged that a minister’s son has been sending obscene SMSs to her minor daughter.
Aires didn’t say he was being threatened: SP George
Panaji: Advocate Aires Rodrigues and historian Prajal Sakhardande were attacked by masked miscreants on Monday night. Noted physician and activist Oscar Rebello, who was at Campal Clinic when Rodrigues and Sakhardande were rushed in, said, “Rodrigues was brought in soaked in blood. He had stab wounds. He has been taken to the operation theatre. Two fingers of his right hand have been chopped off and he has injuries on the head.”
Advocate Jatin Naik, who was with Rodrigues but had just gone out for a while, said, “When I was returning to my table I saw six or seven masked men telling each other in Konkani that ‘this is Aires who is creating trouble’ and they started attacking him. In the process Sakhardande, who was sitting next to Rodrigues was also severely injured.”
Eyewitnesses said Rodrigues, once attacked, ran into the hotel’s toilet and remained there till the assailants left. After Rodrigues ran into the toilet, the assailants started smashing bottles. The owner of the hotel had to plead with them to stop damaging his property.
SP (North) Bosco George, who visited the scene of the crime in the night, said investigations were on. He said Rodrigues had spoken to him 20 minutes before the assault but had not said he was being threatened.
Rodrigues’s friends who were with him at the hospital believe he had been attacked for supporting the German woman. Rodrigues was to meet George along with the woman and her child on Tuesday with all details against the minister’s son.
“If the police fail to act and arrest the accused within 24 hours, we would be forced to approach the human rights commission,” said Naik.
October 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
German mom refuses to speak to cops
German mom refuses to speak to cops
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German woman who had complained to the police against a minister’s son for “sexually using” her minor daughter refused to talk to the men in uniform who had visited her house in Saligao with an NGO member to record statements from the minor girl and the mother.
Police sources said that DySP Gundu Naik along with a lady police officer and an NGO member went to the complainant’s house on Monday morning. After making the team wait for some time, the mother said that she and her daughter would only speak after consulting their lawyer.
“We tried to persuade the mother to come forward and make available evidence to build a prima facie case. But till now, it has been futile,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
The German woman, who calls herself a researcher on Hindu mythology and a translator, had lodged a complaint with the Calangute police on October 2 stating that that her daughter was being sexually used by a man much older than the girl and that upon being contacted, the child tends to behave abnormally.
“She is often trying to run away from home,” the mother had added.
Meanwhile, Utt Goenkara spokesperson and counsel for the mother, Aires Rodrigues said that he along with the mother would meet the SP (North) on Tuesday in order to press charges against the minister’s son for allegedly sexually harassing and using the 14 -year-old girl.
‘Phone belongs to minister’
Panaji: Counsel for the German mother, Aires Rodrigues said that the cell phone which was used to send lewd messages to the minor girl belonged not to the minister’s son, but to the minister himself. “We have confirmed that the mobile phone being used by the minister’s son to send obscene SMSes to the girl is actually registered in the name of his father,” he said.
“Charges will now be pressed against the minister, who will also be held responsible as it was his phone which was being used to mentally and sexually torture the minor girl,” added Rodrigues. TNN
October 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The German woman who had complained to the police against a minister’s son for “sexually using” her minor daughter refused to talk to the men in uniform who had visited her house in Saligao with an NGO member to record statements from the minor girl and the mother.
Police sources said that DySP Gundu Naik along with a lady police officer and an NGO member went to the complainant’s house on Monday morning. After making the team wait for some time, the mother said that she and her daughter would only speak after consulting their lawyer.
“We tried to persuade the mother to come forward and make available evidence to build a prima facie case. But till now, it has been futile,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
The German woman, who calls herself a researcher on Hindu mythology and a translator, had lodged a complaint with the Calangute police on October 2 stating that that her daughter was being sexually used by a man much older than the girl and that upon being contacted, the child tends to behave abnormally.
“She is often trying to run away from home,” the mother had added.
Meanwhile, Utt Goenkara spokesperson and counsel for the mother, Aires Rodrigues said that he along with the mother would meet the SP (North) on Tuesday in order to press charges against the minister’s son for allegedly sexually harassing and using the 14 -year-old girl.
‘Phone belongs to minister’
Panaji: Counsel for the German mother, Aires Rodrigues said that the cell phone which was used to send lewd messages to the minor girl belonged not to the minister’s son, but to the minister himself. “We have confirmed that the mobile phone being used by the minister’s son to send obscene SMSes to the girl is actually registered in the name of his father,” he said.
“Charges will now be pressed against the minister, who will also be held responsible as it was his phone which was being used to mentally and sexually torture the minor girl,” added Rodrigues. TNN
October 14,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, October 13, 2008
German girl’s mum did not show up: SP
German girl’s mum did not show up: SP
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Ten days after a German woman complained to the police against a minister’s son for “sexually using” her minor daughter, she has now alleged that “she felt that the police wanted her to withdraw the complaint.”
“The police have said that it’s up to me to decide what I want to do with the complaint. Though they didn’t tell me directly to withdraw the complaint, from their attitude I felt that they wanted me to do so,” the mother said. She has been staying in Goa for the last 14 years with her daughter, while her husband is in Germany.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any delay and said that investigations are in process. “For us to act, prima facie a congnizable offence has to be made out. Till now the complainant has not furnished the mobile where the messages have been stored, nor provided a printout of the messages.”
He added, “The mother assured us in writing that she would come to meet us for inquiry at 11.30 am on Sunday. We waited for her to come and furnish details as she had told us that she would come after taking legal advise. Now we have sent her another intimation and are waiting for her reply.”
The German woman, who calls herself a researcher on Hindu mythology and a translator, had lodged a missing complaint with the Calangute police on October 2, stating, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much elder than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of a Panaji school last year and is now studying in an open school.
Explaining what attracted her minor daughter to the minister’s son, the German woman said, “She was attracted to the German car he possesses. Moreover, they had both studied in the same school. I did everything possible to protect my daughter. When it became difficult and I realized that what was happening was against the law, I lodged a police complaint.”
“We can’t allow young kids to be used by elders (the minister’s son is 21) whom they trust, love and call friends. My daughter is upset,” the mother said. Admitting that she knew it was going to be difficult fighting against a minister’s son, she said, “I had to lodge a complaint to protect my daughter.”
The mother said that she had first read the SMSs when her minor daughter was admitted to a hospital last month. “I went through the inbox and was shocked to see the messages she was receiving from the minister’s son. I looked at my daughter and wondered what would become of our little girl, who has had such a horrid experience at such a young age. Her mental state is finished and she has attempted to commit suicide more than once. It has become intolerable now,” the mother said.
She admitted that she had gifted her daughter a mobile and the SIM card was in her name. “I had gifted her the mobile so that I could be in touch with her. I permitted her to use the mobile to call her friends.”
The German woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues said, “The minister shouldn’t interfere with the investigation and we will make sure that he doesn’t influence or tamper with evidence in this case.”
October 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Ten days after a German woman complained to the police against a minister’s son for “sexually using” her minor daughter, she has now alleged that “she felt that the police wanted her to withdraw the complaint.”
“The police have said that it’s up to me to decide what I want to do with the complaint. Though they didn’t tell me directly to withdraw the complaint, from their attitude I felt that they wanted me to do so,” the mother said. She has been staying in Goa for the last 14 years with her daughter, while her husband is in Germany.
SP (North) Bosco George denied any delay and said that investigations are in process. “For us to act, prima facie a congnizable offence has to be made out. Till now the complainant has not furnished the mobile where the messages have been stored, nor provided a printout of the messages.”
He added, “The mother assured us in writing that she would come to meet us for inquiry at 11.30 am on Sunday. We waited for her to come and furnish details as she had told us that she would come after taking legal advise. Now we have sent her another intimation and are waiting for her reply.”
The German woman, who calls herself a researcher on Hindu mythology and a translator, had lodged a missing complaint with the Calangute police on October 2, stating, “I know my daughter is being sexually used by a man much elder than her. This person is contacting her on her mobile phone and maybe via the internet.” The 14-year-old girl had dropped out of a Panaji school last year and is now studying in an open school.
Explaining what attracted her minor daughter to the minister’s son, the German woman said, “She was attracted to the German car he possesses. Moreover, they had both studied in the same school. I did everything possible to protect my daughter. When it became difficult and I realized that what was happening was against the law, I lodged a police complaint.”
“We can’t allow young kids to be used by elders (the minister’s son is 21) whom they trust, love and call friends. My daughter is upset,” the mother said. Admitting that she knew it was going to be difficult fighting against a minister’s son, she said, “I had to lodge a complaint to protect my daughter.”
The mother said that she had first read the SMSs when her minor daughter was admitted to a hospital last month. “I went through the inbox and was shocked to see the messages she was receiving from the minister’s son. I looked at my daughter and wondered what would become of our little girl, who has had such a horrid experience at such a young age. Her mental state is finished and she has attempted to commit suicide more than once. It has become intolerable now,” the mother said.
She admitted that she had gifted her daughter a mobile and the SIM card was in her name. “I had gifted her the mobile so that I could be in touch with her. I permitted her to use the mobile to call her friends.”
The German woman’s counsel Aires Rodrigues said, “The minister shouldn’t interfere with the investigation and we will make sure that he doesn’t influence or tamper with evidence in this case.”
October 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Goa on SIMI, Qaida hitlists
Goa on SIMI, Qaida hitlists
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Al Qaida and SIMI terrorists have been planning to target American, British and Israeli tourists in Goa, intelligence and police sources say.
While arrested SIMI leader Safdar Nagori—who is alleged to be behind the Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts—revealed during narco-analysis their plan to strike Goa, a Qaida module busted in the US provided provided information about the tourist hotspot being in terror crosshairs.
Sources added both these reports have been submitted to the Goa police. When contacted, DGP B S Brar said, “As of today, Goa is not a target. However, interrogation reports of various terrorists arrested by the police have revealed that they had Goa as a target and we are not taking any chances. All these groups were based outside Goa.”
During narco-analysis, Nagori said, “Nasir (a SIMI activist arrested by the Karnataka police in January 2008) had spoken to Adnan (arrested by the Karnataka police from Indore in March) and others about his target and he had targeted the Americans, Britishers and Israelis as his present target at Goa…”
Nagori was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police from Indore and the narcoanalysis was done at Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Bangalore, in April this year. Three others were also subjected to the test. The report was submitted in June.
Nagori revealed that they had organized a training camp at Karnataka’s Castle Rock—80 km from Goa’s capital Panaji—to ready for the operation. “Nasir had attended the Castle Rock training camp and had also visited Hubli,” he said. ‘No immediate threat to state’
Panaji: Intelligence sources revealed that the al Qaida had plans to attack Goa in 2007 itself. A laptop recovered from an al Qaida module busted in the US contained information about a proposed strike around “Baja (Baga) beach”, sources said. This information was passed on to Indian authorities by US agencies.
Although there is no immediate threat it does not reduce the vulnerability, top police officials said. In fact, IGP Kishan Kumar has been continuously saying that Goa needs to comes out of the “nothing will ever happen here” mindset.
The police have already beefed up its intelligence gathering and are insisting on CCTVs and proper lighting at popular beaches. The police have also instructed all night clubs to down shutters by 12 midnight. Two companies of Central industrial security force have been stationed at tourist spots and two more will arrive during the IFFI in November.
October 12, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Al Qaida and SIMI terrorists have been planning to target American, British and Israeli tourists in Goa, intelligence and police sources say.
While arrested SIMI leader Safdar Nagori—who is alleged to be behind the Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Delhi blasts—revealed during narco-analysis their plan to strike Goa, a Qaida module busted in the US provided provided information about the tourist hotspot being in terror crosshairs.
Sources added both these reports have been submitted to the Goa police. When contacted, DGP B S Brar said, “As of today, Goa is not a target. However, interrogation reports of various terrorists arrested by the police have revealed that they had Goa as a target and we are not taking any chances. All these groups were based outside Goa.”
During narco-analysis, Nagori said, “Nasir (a SIMI activist arrested by the Karnataka police in January 2008) had spoken to Adnan (arrested by the Karnataka police from Indore in March) and others about his target and he had targeted the Americans, Britishers and Israelis as his present target at Goa…”
Nagori was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh police from Indore and the narcoanalysis was done at Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Bangalore, in April this year. Three others were also subjected to the test. The report was submitted in June.
Nagori revealed that they had organized a training camp at Karnataka’s Castle Rock—80 km from Goa’s capital Panaji—to ready for the operation. “Nasir had attended the Castle Rock training camp and had also visited Hubli,” he said. ‘No immediate threat to state’
Panaji: Intelligence sources revealed that the al Qaida had plans to attack Goa in 2007 itself. A laptop recovered from an al Qaida module busted in the US contained information about a proposed strike around “Baja (Baga) beach”, sources said. This information was passed on to Indian authorities by US agencies.
Although there is no immediate threat it does not reduce the vulnerability, top police officials said. In fact, IGP Kishan Kumar has been continuously saying that Goa needs to comes out of the “nothing will ever happen here” mindset.
The police have already beefed up its intelligence gathering and are insisting on CCTVs and proper lighting at popular beaches. The police have also instructed all night clubs to down shutters by 12 midnight. Two companies of Central industrial security force have been stationed at tourist spots and two more will arrive during the IFFI in November.
October 12, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
CALANGUTE MURDER;Kelly’s knife found, claim hotel staff
CALANGUTE MURDER
Kelly’s knife found, claim hotel staff
Preetu Nair | TNN
Calangute: The knife which was allegedly carried by Australian national John Kelly to the Club City restaurant in Calangute has been found. However, the Calangute police said that after examining the knife, the fingerprint expert said that there are no fingerprint marks on it. This, the police explained, could be either due to exposure to sunlight and dew.
The restaurant’s bartender, Ervell, said that around 8.45 pm on Saturday while they were shifting flower pots just outside the restaurant they came across the knife.
“I called a staffer who was working on the day of the incident to verify whether it was the same knife which the foreigner was carrying and had allegedly put to waiter Jaikrishna’s throat. One of the witnesses, Matthew Rehman, who works as a cook in the restaurant said that this was the knife being carried by the foreigner,” Ervell told TOI.
“On that day, Kelly had came into the restaurant’s kitchen at around 7.30 am drunk and threatened me with the knife. Then he suddenly apologized and left to sit below a mango tree adjacent to the restaurant where he was drinking.
“He returned later at around 8 am and then got into an altercation with Jaikrishna and threatened him with the knife which forced him to react in self-defence,” Rehman said.
Meanwhile, the police, which had conducted a panchanama at the site soon after the case was registered
as a murder, said that they had fully checked the premises and had not located the knife.
They also said that they were surprised with the sudden appearance of the knife, which has been found just half a metre from the spot Kelly had fallen after he was pushed by the waiter and security guard.
October 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Kelly’s knife found, claim hotel staff
Preetu Nair | TNN
Calangute: The knife which was allegedly carried by Australian national John Kelly to the Club City restaurant in Calangute has been found. However, the Calangute police said that after examining the knife, the fingerprint expert said that there are no fingerprint marks on it. This, the police explained, could be either due to exposure to sunlight and dew.
The restaurant’s bartender, Ervell, said that around 8.45 pm on Saturday while they were shifting flower pots just outside the restaurant they came across the knife.
“I called a staffer who was working on the day of the incident to verify whether it was the same knife which the foreigner was carrying and had allegedly put to waiter Jaikrishna’s throat. One of the witnesses, Matthew Rehman, who works as a cook in the restaurant said that this was the knife being carried by the foreigner,” Ervell told TOI.
“On that day, Kelly had came into the restaurant’s kitchen at around 7.30 am drunk and threatened me with the knife. Then he suddenly apologized and left to sit below a mango tree adjacent to the restaurant where he was drinking.
“He returned later at around 8 am and then got into an altercation with Jaikrishna and threatened him with the knife which forced him to react in self-defence,” Rehman said.
Meanwhile, the police, which had conducted a panchanama at the site soon after the case was registered
as a murder, said that they had fully checked the premises and had not located the knife.
They also said that they were surprised with the sudden appearance of the knife, which has been found just half a metre from the spot Kelly had fallen after he was pushed by the waiter and security guard.
October 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Bangalore techie Meghna Subedar found alive in Pune
Bangalore techie Meghna found alive in Pune
Andrew Pereira, Preetu Nair & Yogesh Naik | TNN
Panaji/Mumbai: Meghna Subhedar, the 28-year-old Bangalore-based software engineer who went missing in April from CST railway station and had been thought to be dead till recently was found alive six months later on Friday. The CST railway police received a call from her father on Friday saying that Meghna had turned up at her grandfather’s house at Paud Road, Pune.
Investigating officer Anil Mane of the CST police told TOI, “We got a call from her grandparents that she was in Pune. We reached Pune and found that the girl was at their residence. She looked mentally disturbed and was talking irrelevant things. She did not answer our questions too.”
ACP Bapu Thombre said that Meghna told the police that this morning a crowd of people threw stones at her, which led to her getting a head injury. Police said a doctor who examined her suspected that the blow may have led to her remembering that she had relatives in Pune. Sources said that at around 5.30 pm on Friday, Meghna called up her uncle in Kothrud, Pune from a PCO. She said that she was scared and was being chased by goons. Her uncle picked her up from the PCO. LOST AND FOUND
‘Meghna said she was scared, chased by goons’
Panaji/Mumbai: The Bangalore-based software engineer Meghna Subhedar, 28, who went missing in April from CST railway station and was thought to be dead was found alive on Friday.
Meghna called up her uncle in Kothrud,Pune from a PCO on Friday and said she was scared and being chased by goons.
She was reportedly in a bad state and had injuries all over her body. Her uncle who picked her up from the PCO said that she had just Rs 3 in her pocket. The CST railway police left for Pune after being informed.
Investigating officer Anil Mane of the CST police said that Meghna told the CST police that she had been been several cities which she visited by train. “She has told us that she went to Kolhapur and some south Indian towns. She came to Pune from Hyderabad in a train. She used to beg and eat,'' Mane said.
Since Meghna is mentally stressed, her relatives told the CST police to make inquiries later. “We will soon call her for an interrogation and ask her a few questions,” said Mane. The police feel that she requires immediate counselling and told her relatives to summon a psychiatrist. Mane said that Meghna looks much weaker and stressed. Her parents are reportedly on their way to Pune from their home in Chhatisgarh.
Meghna’s mother Dr Anjali Subedar said, “Meghna called us around 3.30 pm on Friday and said that she was in Pune. She said that she was not feeling well and had suffered a lot. She sounded worried and tense.”
“As she sounded upset we didn’t ask her any questions and advised her to go to Pune to a relative’s place. Now she is with our relative and my husband has left for Pune,” said the mother.
Though the mother suspects that her daughter may have been tortured, she said that she doesn’t have the details and will only be able to tell where her daughter was for seven months and why she didn’t call when they meet.
“At the moment our only concern is that our daughter is fine. She sounded traumatised and we just want to ensure that she is okay.
“Finally our prayers have paid off,” said Dr Subedar, who had been praying and even fasting for her daughter’s wellbeing and safety.
Meghna was employed with an IT firm at Bangalore and went missing from Mumbai while on her way to her hometown Korba in Chhattisgarh. She had come from Bangalore to Mumbai at 4.50 am on April 10. She last called her father on April 10 saying she was at CST, Mumbai and would board the Geetanjali Express. However, when Meghna failed to reach home the next day, her mother, a gynaecologist, made enquiries with relatives and friends. On April 14, she asked her husband, Dr Mohan Subhedar, to lodge a missing person’s complaint with the CST police.
During a police probe it was disclosed that Meghna had two credit cards of ICICI Bank and SBI Bank. She had withdrawn Rs 5,000 from an ICICI ATM in Andheri. The credit card was used the next day to withdraw money from an ATM in Goa.
Meghna’s parents initially suspected that she had been kidnapped in Mumbai and the abductors were using her credit card. So they went to Goa, but were surprised to see CCTV clippings from ATMs showing that Meghna herself had withdrawn money in Goa. From the ATM video footage, her parents said Meghna seemed extremely frightened. Her parents thought she had been either blackmailed or kidnapped. However, investigations drew a blank.
In July, Goa police found a decomposed body on the Candolim beach, North Goa. While her parents initially believed it to be that of their daughter, DNA tests proved otherwise.
Meghna had divorced her husband in 2004. She had reportedly quit her job and was on her way back home when she went missing.
October 11, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Andrew Pereira, Preetu Nair & Yogesh Naik | TNN
Panaji/Mumbai: Meghna Subhedar, the 28-year-old Bangalore-based software engineer who went missing in April from CST railway station and had been thought to be dead till recently was found alive six months later on Friday. The CST railway police received a call from her father on Friday saying that Meghna had turned up at her grandfather’s house at Paud Road, Pune.
Investigating officer Anil Mane of the CST police told TOI, “We got a call from her grandparents that she was in Pune. We reached Pune and found that the girl was at their residence. She looked mentally disturbed and was talking irrelevant things. She did not answer our questions too.”
ACP Bapu Thombre said that Meghna told the police that this morning a crowd of people threw stones at her, which led to her getting a head injury. Police said a doctor who examined her suspected that the blow may have led to her remembering that she had relatives in Pune. Sources said that at around 5.30 pm on Friday, Meghna called up her uncle in Kothrud, Pune from a PCO. She said that she was scared and was being chased by goons. Her uncle picked her up from the PCO. LOST AND FOUND
‘Meghna said she was scared, chased by goons’
Panaji/Mumbai: The Bangalore-based software engineer Meghna Subhedar, 28, who went missing in April from CST railway station and was thought to be dead was found alive on Friday.
Meghna called up her uncle in Kothrud,Pune from a PCO on Friday and said she was scared and being chased by goons.
She was reportedly in a bad state and had injuries all over her body. Her uncle who picked her up from the PCO said that she had just Rs 3 in her pocket. The CST railway police left for Pune after being informed.
Investigating officer Anil Mane of the CST police said that Meghna told the CST police that she had been been several cities which she visited by train. “She has told us that she went to Kolhapur and some south Indian towns. She came to Pune from Hyderabad in a train. She used to beg and eat,'' Mane said.
Since Meghna is mentally stressed, her relatives told the CST police to make inquiries later. “We will soon call her for an interrogation and ask her a few questions,” said Mane. The police feel that she requires immediate counselling and told her relatives to summon a psychiatrist. Mane said that Meghna looks much weaker and stressed. Her parents are reportedly on their way to Pune from their home in Chhatisgarh.
Meghna’s mother Dr Anjali Subedar said, “Meghna called us around 3.30 pm on Friday and said that she was in Pune. She said that she was not feeling well and had suffered a lot. She sounded worried and tense.”
“As she sounded upset we didn’t ask her any questions and advised her to go to Pune to a relative’s place. Now she is with our relative and my husband has left for Pune,” said the mother.
Though the mother suspects that her daughter may have been tortured, she said that she doesn’t have the details and will only be able to tell where her daughter was for seven months and why she didn’t call when they meet.
“At the moment our only concern is that our daughter is fine. She sounded traumatised and we just want to ensure that she is okay.
“Finally our prayers have paid off,” said Dr Subedar, who had been praying and even fasting for her daughter’s wellbeing and safety.
Meghna was employed with an IT firm at Bangalore and went missing from Mumbai while on her way to her hometown Korba in Chhattisgarh. She had come from Bangalore to Mumbai at 4.50 am on April 10. She last called her father on April 10 saying she was at CST, Mumbai and would board the Geetanjali Express. However, when Meghna failed to reach home the next day, her mother, a gynaecologist, made enquiries with relatives and friends. On April 14, she asked her husband, Dr Mohan Subhedar, to lodge a missing person’s complaint with the CST police.
During a police probe it was disclosed that Meghna had two credit cards of ICICI Bank and SBI Bank. She had withdrawn Rs 5,000 from an ICICI ATM in Andheri. The credit card was used the next day to withdraw money from an ATM in Goa.
Meghna’s parents initially suspected that she had been kidnapped in Mumbai and the abductors were using her credit card. So they went to Goa, but were surprised to see CCTV clippings from ATMs showing that Meghna herself had withdrawn money in Goa. From the ATM video footage, her parents said Meghna seemed extremely frightened. Her parents thought she had been either blackmailed or kidnapped. However, investigations drew a blank.
In July, Goa police found a decomposed body on the Candolim beach, North Goa. While her parents initially believed it to be that of their daughter, DNA tests proved otherwise.
Meghna had divorced her husband in 2004. She had reportedly quit her job and was on her way back home when she went missing.
October 11, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, October 10, 2008
Goa ;‘Australian put knife to waiter’s neck’
‘Australian put knife to waiter’s neck’
Restaurant Employees Claim Abusive Kelly Started Fight
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The forensic report on the body of John Kelly, the Australian who died on Wednesday after being beaten up by some restaurant waiters in Calangute, says that death was due to internal bleeding due to a blunt and forcible impact.
“After going through the post-mortem report, we believe that the death may have been caused due to a punch, kick or from falling on a hard object or the floor,” said DySP Gundu Naik. The report says the Australian had a lacerated tear to the small intestine. The viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis.
Calangute police have arrested three persons—waiter Jaikrishna Das, 25, from Orissa, security guard Manab Basak, 32, from West Bengal and restaurant shift in-charge Jagat Pradhan, 23, from Assam—on charges of alleged murder of the Australian.
Kelly, 65, had picked up an argument with a restaurant waiter over how and to whom beer should be served. According to sources, Kelly arrived at Club City Restaurant at about 8 am on Wednesday and ordered beer for himself and a few Indian tourists sitting at the restaurant. But as the waiter didn’t listen to him, it led to an altercation.
Waiters at the restaurant say that the three arrested persons were provoked by the foreigner, who threatened them with a knife. “Eight Indian tourists were having alcohol when Kelly walked into the restaurant and offered to buy them drinks. This is the first time he had come to our place. He paid the waiter Jaikrishna Rs 500 and asked him to get the Indian tourists more beer. When the tourists refused to accept Kelly’s beer, the waiter returned the money to the Australian, who was then upset and abused the waiter with foul language and put a knife near his neck,” said Club City Restaurant manager Sachin Karanjkar.
“This scared the waiter, who pushed and punched Kelly on the face, as a result of which Kelly started bleeding from the cheek. Basak then snatched the knife from Kelly and in the tussle Kelly fell down. Jagat tried to pacify the waiter and Kelly, but the Australian left the place hurling abuses,” said Karanjkar. He said the foreigner later returned with a beat constable, but left immediately thereafter.
Incidentally, though Karanjkar talked about a knife being carried by the foreigner, he admitted that he didn’t know where the knife came from. Even the police admit they are clueless about the knife.
Rajesh Khanna, owner of the restaurant, said, “The boys were pushed into a corner and that’s the reason they overreacted. Let the law take its own course.”
Kelly had arrived in Goa on September 29 and was initially staying at Jack’s Place, Candolim Ximer, but had shifted to a rented flat on October 7, belonging to one Camilo Vaz at Candolim.
CALANGUTE MURDER
Aussie visited Goa frequently
Panaji: John Kelly, who died following an attack by a waiter at a Calangute restaurant on Wednesday, had come to Goa in 2003 with wife Bela. Sources said that the couple used to visit Goa frequently. Police said that Kelly’s passport reveals that he was a Scottish national settled in Australia and held a British and Australian citizenship.
People in the belt who knew Kelly said that he was a friendly person, but sometimes turned aggressive under the influence of alcohol. A restaurant owner who knew Kelly said, “He was a nice person, but sometimes when he was drunk, he would get aggressive and abusive. We met on Tuesday afternoon when he came for a drink to my restaurant. After one peg he left, stating he was not feeling well and was suffering from deep vein thrombosis.”
Police sources said that on Wednesday morning, Kelly was to get his ear checked by a doctor and had asked the complainant Monico Menezes, whom he had befriended in 2003 to help him. “When Menezes reached the flat at 10 am, he learnt from the landlord that Kelly had collapsed outside the entrance of his flat and was vomiting blood and
had to be shifted to the hospital in an ambulance,” said police sources.
Vaz told TOI, “I didn’t know Kelly personally as he had come to stay at our flat on Tuesday. He left the flat at 6 am on Wednesday and later in the evening we learned that he had expired.”
DySP Naik said, “Kelly didn’t collapse in the restaurant. He reached home and then collapsed. He was first taken to the CT scan centre and then shifted to GMC. His condition was critical and he was vomiting blood. Later he was put on a ventilator.”
Naik added, “According to the complainant, the doctor at GMC informed him that Kelly had internal bleeding in the abdomen because of which he was vomiting blood and needed to operated immediately.” Though Menezes refused to meet or speak, sources close to him said that during the treatment Kelly did vomit blood.
The post-mortem conducted on Thursday at Goa Medical College states that the death was due to, “haemorrhagic shock as a result of injuries to the small intestine consequent to blunt, forcible impacts which were antemortem, fresh and fatal in ordinary course of nature”.
October 10, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Restaurant Employees Claim Abusive Kelly Started Fight
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The forensic report on the body of John Kelly, the Australian who died on Wednesday after being beaten up by some restaurant waiters in Calangute, says that death was due to internal bleeding due to a blunt and forcible impact.
“After going through the post-mortem report, we believe that the death may have been caused due to a punch, kick or from falling on a hard object or the floor,” said DySP Gundu Naik. The report says the Australian had a lacerated tear to the small intestine. The viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis.
Calangute police have arrested three persons—waiter Jaikrishna Das, 25, from Orissa, security guard Manab Basak, 32, from West Bengal and restaurant shift in-charge Jagat Pradhan, 23, from Assam—on charges of alleged murder of the Australian.
Kelly, 65, had picked up an argument with a restaurant waiter over how and to whom beer should be served. According to sources, Kelly arrived at Club City Restaurant at about 8 am on Wednesday and ordered beer for himself and a few Indian tourists sitting at the restaurant. But as the waiter didn’t listen to him, it led to an altercation.
Waiters at the restaurant say that the three arrested persons were provoked by the foreigner, who threatened them with a knife. “Eight Indian tourists were having alcohol when Kelly walked into the restaurant and offered to buy them drinks. This is the first time he had come to our place. He paid the waiter Jaikrishna Rs 500 and asked him to get the Indian tourists more beer. When the tourists refused to accept Kelly’s beer, the waiter returned the money to the Australian, who was then upset and abused the waiter with foul language and put a knife near his neck,” said Club City Restaurant manager Sachin Karanjkar.
“This scared the waiter, who pushed and punched Kelly on the face, as a result of which Kelly started bleeding from the cheek. Basak then snatched the knife from Kelly and in the tussle Kelly fell down. Jagat tried to pacify the waiter and Kelly, but the Australian left the place hurling abuses,” said Karanjkar. He said the foreigner later returned with a beat constable, but left immediately thereafter.
Incidentally, though Karanjkar talked about a knife being carried by the foreigner, he admitted that he didn’t know where the knife came from. Even the police admit they are clueless about the knife.
Rajesh Khanna, owner of the restaurant, said, “The boys were pushed into a corner and that’s the reason they overreacted. Let the law take its own course.”
Kelly had arrived in Goa on September 29 and was initially staying at Jack’s Place, Candolim Ximer, but had shifted to a rented flat on October 7, belonging to one Camilo Vaz at Candolim.
CALANGUTE MURDER
Aussie visited Goa frequently
Panaji: John Kelly, who died following an attack by a waiter at a Calangute restaurant on Wednesday, had come to Goa in 2003 with wife Bela. Sources said that the couple used to visit Goa frequently. Police said that Kelly’s passport reveals that he was a Scottish national settled in Australia and held a British and Australian citizenship.
People in the belt who knew Kelly said that he was a friendly person, but sometimes turned aggressive under the influence of alcohol. A restaurant owner who knew Kelly said, “He was a nice person, but sometimes when he was drunk, he would get aggressive and abusive. We met on Tuesday afternoon when he came for a drink to my restaurant. After one peg he left, stating he was not feeling well and was suffering from deep vein thrombosis.”
Police sources said that on Wednesday morning, Kelly was to get his ear checked by a doctor and had asked the complainant Monico Menezes, whom he had befriended in 2003 to help him. “When Menezes reached the flat at 10 am, he learnt from the landlord that Kelly had collapsed outside the entrance of his flat and was vomiting blood and
had to be shifted to the hospital in an ambulance,” said police sources.
Vaz told TOI, “I didn’t know Kelly personally as he had come to stay at our flat on Tuesday. He left the flat at 6 am on Wednesday and later in the evening we learned that he had expired.”
DySP Naik said, “Kelly didn’t collapse in the restaurant. He reached home and then collapsed. He was first taken to the CT scan centre and then shifted to GMC. His condition was critical and he was vomiting blood. Later he was put on a ventilator.”
Naik added, “According to the complainant, the doctor at GMC informed him that Kelly had internal bleeding in the abdomen because of which he was vomiting blood and needed to operated immediately.” Though Menezes refused to meet or speak, sources close to him said that during the treatment Kelly did vomit blood.
The post-mortem conducted on Thursday at Goa Medical College states that the death was due to, “haemorrhagic shock as a result of injuries to the small intestine consequent to blunt, forcible impacts which were antemortem, fresh and fatal in ordinary course of nature”.
October 10, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Goa;Waiters kill Australian at Calangute
Waiters kill Australian at Calangute
Tourist Picked Up Fight Over Serving Beer
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: An Australian tourist had to pay with his life in Goa on Wednesday after he picked up an argument with a restaurant waiter over how a beer should be served. John Kelly, 65, had gone to Calangute’s Club City Restaurant around 8 am and ordered a beer. However, he was not happy with the waiter’s service and scolded him.
“This resulted in an argument between the two. A group of waiters then beat up the Australian and tore up his clothes,” said a police official. Pushed around, the tourist fell to the floor, he said. Kelly was immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital, where he breathed his last at 5 pm. He had arrived in Goa on September 29.
“From what we have gathered, the foreigner suffered internal injuries to which he succumbed. We have detained two persons—a waiter and a security guard of the restaurant,” said superintendent of police (North) Bosco George.
Calangute police inspector Tushar Vernekar said, “We have registered a case of murder and are investigating the matter.”
Police said Kelly was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and passed away before they could register his statement. Based on information provided by a friend who was with Kelly in hospital, the police rounded up few of the waiters for interrogation and came to know what had happened.
The post-mortem will be conducted on Thursday.
This is not the first time that a foreign tourist to the state has been attacked. Early this year, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was allegedly raped and murdered by two locals. In another incident recently, a Russian woman was beaten up by locals, forcing the Russian consulate to write to the state chief minister alleging “national or racial intolerance”.
A couple of years back, another tourist to Goa from the UK, Stephen Bennett, was found murdered.
October 09,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tourist Picked Up Fight Over Serving Beer
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: An Australian tourist had to pay with his life in Goa on Wednesday after he picked up an argument with a restaurant waiter over how a beer should be served. John Kelly, 65, had gone to Calangute’s Club City Restaurant around 8 am and ordered a beer. However, he was not happy with the waiter’s service and scolded him.
“This resulted in an argument between the two. A group of waiters then beat up the Australian and tore up his clothes,” said a police official. Pushed around, the tourist fell to the floor, he said. Kelly was immediately rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital, where he breathed his last at 5 pm. He had arrived in Goa on September 29.
“From what we have gathered, the foreigner suffered internal injuries to which he succumbed. We have detained two persons—a waiter and a security guard of the restaurant,” said superintendent of police (North) Bosco George.
Calangute police inspector Tushar Vernekar said, “We have registered a case of murder and are investigating the matter.”
Police said Kelly was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and passed away before they could register his statement. Based on information provided by a friend who was with Kelly in hospital, the police rounded up few of the waiters for interrogation and came to know what had happened.
The post-mortem will be conducted on Thursday.
This is not the first time that a foreign tourist to the state has been attacked. Early this year, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was allegedly raped and murdered by two locals. In another incident recently, a Russian woman was beaten up by locals, forcing the Russian consulate to write to the state chief minister alleging “national or racial intolerance”.
A couple of years back, another tourist to Goa from the UK, Stephen Bennett, was found murdered.
October 09,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Lure of cell proves tragic for Ponda girl
Lure of cell proves tragic for Ponda girl
Rapists Took Her To Hotel With Promise Of A Phone, Dress
Preetu Nair | TNN
Ponda: It was a picture she may never have visualised—that her desire for a mobile phone with camera would make her pay so heavy a price.
On Saturday morning, the 14-year-old called up Pritesh Nageshkar, 23, a regular visitor to her school, from a PCO at Ponda bus stand. He had promised to take her to Panaji’s Miramar beach.
However, Pritesh told the girl that three of his friends would be accompanying him, and she objected.
“He then promised to gift me a mobile phone and a new churidaar. I always wanted a mobile with camera as no one in my family has a camera,” said the standard VII student.
The minor said that as the boys appeared friendly, she didn’t object when they took her in a car to a hotel. “But once in the room, three of them raped me. When I resisted and struggled, they threatened to kill me if opened my mouth. I cried that it was painful, but they refused to listen,” she said.
According to the girl, she was taken to a hotel at Kundaim on the Ponda-Panaji highway, Ponda PI Manjunath Dessai said. She claims she was raped in the hotel and later dumped outside it.
Apart from Pritesh, the police have arrested Abhinay Naik, 25, and Nikhil Marathe, 24, for alleged rape. Dheep Fernandes, 21, has been arrested for driving the group to the hotel and later picking them up. All the boys are from Ponda. Investigations continue in rape of 14-yr-old
Ponda: Police are investigating what happened between Saturday morning, when a 14-year-old Ponda girl left home for school, and S u n d ay eve n i n g , when she re t u r n e d home, and alleged that she had been raped. They suspect the girl was with the accused all along as she was picked up from Ponda bus stand on Saturday morning.
Police say there might have been a struggle between the victim and the accused as the mirror in a Kundaim hotel room in which she was allegedly raped was found broken. The girl’s father, a watchman, said she had left home at 7.15 am on Saturday in her school uniform. When she didn’t return home from school, which is just 5 km away, till late in the evening, the family lodged a missing complaint.
“After she returned home at about 11.30 pm on Sunday, we were shocked to know what had happened to her and decided to lodge a police complaint,” he said. “My wife is in a state of shock and is refusing to eat. Her blood pressure has dropped,” he added.
Manager of the hotel, Deepak Prabhu, said two rooms were booked at about 5.30 pm on Sunday by a person named Nikhil Marathe from Usgao, Ponda. They initially wanted to book only one room, but as there were four persons we insisted that he take two. We also asked for his photo identity. Initially, he was reluctant but gave us his driving license. We kept this with us till the four checked out at 7 pm.”
October 8,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rapists Took Her To Hotel With Promise Of A Phone, Dress
Preetu Nair | TNN
Ponda: It was a picture she may never have visualised—that her desire for a mobile phone with camera would make her pay so heavy a price.
On Saturday morning, the 14-year-old called up Pritesh Nageshkar, 23, a regular visitor to her school, from a PCO at Ponda bus stand. He had promised to take her to Panaji’s Miramar beach.
However, Pritesh told the girl that three of his friends would be accompanying him, and she objected.
“He then promised to gift me a mobile phone and a new churidaar. I always wanted a mobile with camera as no one in my family has a camera,” said the standard VII student.
The minor said that as the boys appeared friendly, she didn’t object when they took her in a car to a hotel. “But once in the room, three of them raped me. When I resisted and struggled, they threatened to kill me if opened my mouth. I cried that it was painful, but they refused to listen,” she said.
According to the girl, she was taken to a hotel at Kundaim on the Ponda-Panaji highway, Ponda PI Manjunath Dessai said. She claims she was raped in the hotel and later dumped outside it.
Apart from Pritesh, the police have arrested Abhinay Naik, 25, and Nikhil Marathe, 24, for alleged rape. Dheep Fernandes, 21, has been arrested for driving the group to the hotel and later picking them up. All the boys are from Ponda. Investigations continue in rape of 14-yr-old
Ponda: Police are investigating what happened between Saturday morning, when a 14-year-old Ponda girl left home for school, and S u n d ay eve n i n g , when she re t u r n e d home, and alleged that she had been raped. They suspect the girl was with the accused all along as she was picked up from Ponda bus stand on Saturday morning.
Police say there might have been a struggle between the victim and the accused as the mirror in a Kundaim hotel room in which she was allegedly raped was found broken. The girl’s father, a watchman, said she had left home at 7.15 am on Saturday in her school uniform. When she didn’t return home from school, which is just 5 km away, till late in the evening, the family lodged a missing complaint.
“After she returned home at about 11.30 pm on Sunday, we were shocked to know what had happened to her and decided to lodge a police complaint,” he said. “My wife is in a state of shock and is refusing to eat. Her blood pressure has dropped,” he added.
Manager of the hotel, Deepak Prabhu, said two rooms were booked at about 5.30 pm on Sunday by a person named Nikhil Marathe from Usgao, Ponda. They initially wanted to book only one room, but as there were four persons we insisted that he take two. We also asked for his photo identity. Initially, he was reluctant but gave us his driving license. We kept this with us till the four checked out at 7 pm.”
October 8,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Youtube- Accused, victim, boy suspended
Accused, victim, boy suspended
RMS School Conducting Inquiry Into Youtube Fight
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Acting on a complaint filed by a standard XII student against her classmate, who beat her up and later uploaded the contents of the fight on Youtube, the school principal of RMS Higher Secondary School has suspended both the victim, the accused, and another boy, pending inquiry.
School principal Vinod Powar in the notice issued on October 3 said that the two teenage girls and another boy, also a student of standard XII, were “found involved in indisciplinary behaviour, physical assault and video filming the fight on his mobile during school hours and uploading the same on Youtube”.
The notice further said, “They have failed to follow the normal procedure in lodging the complaint to the undersigned (the principal) about the incident.” The notice added, “They are suspended from school till the inquiry is completed. However, they may answer the first term examination scheduled for October 2008.”
Instead of complaining to the principal, the victim had lodged a police complaint on September 13 at 3 pm alleging that her classmate abused her and hit her very badly. She further complained that on the next day she learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up was uploaded on the net and everyone started calling her up, which put her in an embarrassing situation.
Later the girl’s mother wrote to the principal demanding stern action against the girl student who assaulted her daughter and then displayed video clips of the fight with the help of mobile phones and internet sites, which led to her daughter being “distraught and depressed”.“I am really shocked that the principal has suspended me. We are hurt and furious. After all, why should I be suspended for someone else’s mistake?” the victim said.
“What normal procedure is the principal talking about? When we approached him the first time, he didn’t commit to take any action. Then he advised us to write a formal complaint and my mother lodged a written complaint. And the next communication we receive is that I have been suspended along with the two students,” the victim added.
Director of education Celsa Pinto said, “We are looking into the matter.”
October 7,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
RMS School Conducting Inquiry Into Youtube Fight
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: Acting on a complaint filed by a standard XII student against her classmate, who beat her up and later uploaded the contents of the fight on Youtube, the school principal of RMS Higher Secondary School has suspended both the victim, the accused, and another boy, pending inquiry.
School principal Vinod Powar in the notice issued on October 3 said that the two teenage girls and another boy, also a student of standard XII, were “found involved in indisciplinary behaviour, physical assault and video filming the fight on his mobile during school hours and uploading the same on Youtube”.
The notice further said, “They have failed to follow the normal procedure in lodging the complaint to the undersigned (the principal) about the incident.” The notice added, “They are suspended from school till the inquiry is completed. However, they may answer the first term examination scheduled for October 2008.”
Instead of complaining to the principal, the victim had lodged a police complaint on September 13 at 3 pm alleging that her classmate abused her and hit her very badly. She further complained that on the next day she learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up was uploaded on the net and everyone started calling her up, which put her in an embarrassing situation.
Later the girl’s mother wrote to the principal demanding stern action against the girl student who assaulted her daughter and then displayed video clips of the fight with the help of mobile phones and internet sites, which led to her daughter being “distraught and depressed”.“I am really shocked that the principal has suspended me. We are hurt and furious. After all, why should I be suspended for someone else’s mistake?” the victim said.
“What normal procedure is the principal talking about? When we approached him the first time, he didn’t commit to take any action. Then he advised us to write a formal complaint and my mother lodged a written complaint. And the next communication we receive is that I have been suspended along with the two students,” the victim added.
Director of education Celsa Pinto said, “We are looking into the matter.”
October 7,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, October 06, 2008
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
SEEKING JUSTICE
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Almost eight months after British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on the Anjuna beach, her mother says that she is still waiting to give a decent burial to her daughter. Though sad that her daughter’s body is still lying in a morgue in the UK, she stated that she doesn’t feel guilty about the delay.
“The British coroner has informed us that he can’t release Scarlett’s body until the toxicology tests are performed and they get the results. These tests are taking a long time as many organs were missing from Scarlett’s body,” said Fiona, speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK.
She said that she doesn’t feel guilty about not being able to bury Scarlett. “At the moment it is not in my hands. But
I do feel sad that people who loved her haven’t been able to say goodbye to her,” said Fiona.
The semi-naked body of Scarlett, 15, from Devon, was found on February 19 after she had been raped and murdered. After two forensic autopsies in Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, Fiona had taken Scarlett’s body to the UK for a third autopsy, where the doctor of the coroner’s court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. The forensic doctors at GMC had stated that the organs were preserved for tests.
“The coroner has written to the Goa government asking for information about the organs. Even I have written to the CBI requesting them to return Scarlett’s organs so that we can give her a decent burial. I believe that the organs would eventually be returned,” she said.
Incidentally, though Fiona has all the necessary permissions to come to India and help the CBI in its investigations, she is not eager to arrive in Goa. She has been postponing her trips as a case has been filed against her for being a negligent mother by a Utt Goenkara spokesperson.
October 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘I’m waiting to give Scarlett a decent burial’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Almost eight months after British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on the Anjuna beach, her mother says that she is still waiting to give a decent burial to her daughter. Though sad that her daughter’s body is still lying in a morgue in the UK, she stated that she doesn’t feel guilty about the delay.
“The British coroner has informed us that he can’t release Scarlett’s body until the toxicology tests are performed and they get the results. These tests are taking a long time as many organs were missing from Scarlett’s body,” said Fiona, speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK.
She said that she doesn’t feel guilty about not being able to bury Scarlett. “At the moment it is not in my hands. But
I do feel sad that people who loved her haven’t been able to say goodbye to her,” said Fiona.
The semi-naked body of Scarlett, 15, from Devon, was found on February 19 after she had been raped and murdered. After two forensic autopsies in Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, Fiona had taken Scarlett’s body to the UK for a third autopsy, where the doctor of the coroner’s court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. The forensic doctors at GMC had stated that the organs were preserved for tests.
“The coroner has written to the Goa government asking for information about the organs. Even I have written to the CBI requesting them to return Scarlett’s organs so that we can give her a decent burial. I believe that the organs would eventually be returned,” she said.
Incidentally, though Fiona has all the necessary permissions to come to India and help the CBI in its investigations, she is not eager to arrive in Goa. She has been postponing her trips as a case has been filed against her for being a negligent mother by a Utt Goenkara spokesperson.
October 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
4-yr-old Ponda girl braves three open-heart surgeries
4-yr-old Ponda girl braves three open-heart surgeries
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Naute family from Ponda had lost their 14-year-old daughter to cancer. Their only hope was their yet -to-be-born child. Born on December 21, 2004 they named the baby Akansha, in memory of their late daughter.
Little did they anticipate that less than a month after their daughter’s birth, the doctors would open her heart to perform a gruelling operation. They still remember doctors telling them, “She is born with a rare and highly complex heart problem as she has a single pumping chamber (ventricle) with complete obstruction to the blood flow in the main blood vessel of the body”. The parents spent panicky moments, oscillating between hope and fear, as doctors informed them that they would have to perform three open-heart surgeries on her and the outcome was likely to be uncertain.
But little Akansha survived three operations and is now fit to join a play school. “It is a miracle. We are happy to see our four-year-old daughter happy and laughing after the final surgery last month,” said the couple.
Dr N S Devananda from Wockhardt hospitals, Bangalore, said that Akansha’s is a rare case. “This is the second case I’ve seen in my career. The child required complex surgeries but her recovery was good,” he said.
The doctor said that the first operation was done when Akansha was one month old as there was an obstruction in the heart. As part of the complex operation, the obstructed tube was cleared.
But it was not the end of her woes. Six months later, an angiogram showed that she had high pressure in the blood circulation to her lungs. Besides, a new obstruction to the flow of blood had been found in her heart. “The restrictive hole was widened, and the blood vessel from the heart to the lung was disconnected in the second surgery,” the doctor explained.
Two years later, a third heart surgery was performed. She developed a rare complication called aneurysm of the ventricle which had grown large. A final open heart surgery was done to repair the aneurysm. “These kinds of complications are very rare, wherein, along with an expected surgery, we had to perform another major surgery,” added Dr Devananda.
October 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Naute family from Ponda had lost their 14-year-old daughter to cancer. Their only hope was their yet -to-be-born child. Born on December 21, 2004 they named the baby Akansha, in memory of their late daughter.
Little did they anticipate that less than a month after their daughter’s birth, the doctors would open her heart to perform a gruelling operation. They still remember doctors telling them, “She is born with a rare and highly complex heart problem as she has a single pumping chamber (ventricle) with complete obstruction to the blood flow in the main blood vessel of the body”. The parents spent panicky moments, oscillating between hope and fear, as doctors informed them that they would have to perform three open-heart surgeries on her and the outcome was likely to be uncertain.
But little Akansha survived three operations and is now fit to join a play school. “It is a miracle. We are happy to see our four-year-old daughter happy and laughing after the final surgery last month,” said the couple.
Dr N S Devananda from Wockhardt hospitals, Bangalore, said that Akansha’s is a rare case. “This is the second case I’ve seen in my career. The child required complex surgeries but her recovery was good,” he said.
The doctor said that the first operation was done when Akansha was one month old as there was an obstruction in the heart. As part of the complex operation, the obstructed tube was cleared.
But it was not the end of her woes. Six months later, an angiogram showed that she had high pressure in the blood circulation to her lungs. Besides, a new obstruction to the flow of blood had been found in her heart. “The restrictive hole was widened, and the blood vessel from the heart to the lung was disconnected in the second surgery,” the doctor explained.
Two years later, a third heart surgery was performed. She developed a rare complication called aneurysm of the ventricle which had grown large. A final open heart surgery was done to repair the aneurysm. “These kinds of complications are very rare, wherein, along with an expected surgery, we had to perform another major surgery,” added Dr Devananda.
October 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Lady constable attempts suicide
Lady constable attempts suicide
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A lady police constable Abhijita Chari (22) attempted suicide alleging stress and mental harassment at her work place.
Chari, who joined Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in June 2006, consumed twelve tablets on Saturday at 7 pm in the barracks. On seeing that she was not feeling well, her colleagues rushed her to Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
The doctors at GMC said that she had consumed Crocin, Norflox and Lomotil. She was given a stomach wash and admitted in a ward. Doctors said that her condition was stable.
Speaking to TOI, Chari said that she had attempted suicide as she was stressed after being mentally harassed for the last two years by her seniors. She also said that she had informed the SP Waman Tari, who is also the deputy commandant of IRB, about her situation at an orderly rule on Friday.
Confirming this, SP Tari said that he had heard her on Friday. “The reason why she attempted suicide is not yet known. We will be conducting an inquiry into this to find out what the problem is,” he said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Arjuna Chari alleged that her daughter’s seniors were deliberately trying to defame her by creating an impression that she is of loose character. A medicolegal case has been registered.
October 5, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: A lady police constable Abhijita Chari (22) attempted suicide alleging stress and mental harassment at her work place.
Chari, who joined Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in June 2006, consumed twelve tablets on Saturday at 7 pm in the barracks. On seeing that she was not feeling well, her colleagues rushed her to Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
The doctors at GMC said that she had consumed Crocin, Norflox and Lomotil. She was given a stomach wash and admitted in a ward. Doctors said that her condition was stable.
Speaking to TOI, Chari said that she had attempted suicide as she was stressed after being mentally harassed for the last two years by her seniors. She also said that she had informed the SP Waman Tari, who is also the deputy commandant of IRB, about her situation at an orderly rule on Friday.
Confirming this, SP Tari said that he had heard her on Friday. “The reason why she attempted suicide is not yet known. We will be conducting an inquiry into this to find out what the problem is,” he said.
Meanwhile, her mother, Arjuna Chari alleged that her daughter’s seniors were deliberately trying to defame her by creating an impression that she is of loose character. A medicolegal case has been registered.
October 5, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Goa apartments were overpriced
‘Apartments were overpriced’
Panaji: In the past few years, a large percentage of property investors in Goa had been foreigners. But restrictive interpretation of FEMA has made it difficult for a foreigner to invest in India, affecting the market.
Says Chandrakant Kundaikar, legal advisor on property issues, “In 2000, 50% of the investors were foreigners, 30% NRIs, 20% people from other states and 10% Goans. By 2008, foreigners were down to 5% and Indians, especially Delhiites, had increased to 55%, followed by NRIs at 30%,” he said. The percentage of Goans has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years.
At the height of the construction boom, prices in Goa had shot through the roof. Said Michael Lobo, director of a trade magazine, “Apartment prices had been overvalued by almost 30-50%.”
The present value of apartments varies from Rs 8,000 to Rs 45,000 per sq m, according to government registered property valuer and architect S N Bhobe. The prices at their highest, range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 45,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula, Miramar and Old Goa. The prices are at their lowest, between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m are at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. “Prices may come down as sales have reduced considerably,” he said.
Developers believe there are a number of reasons for the impending slump: buying power of people has reduced with the crash in the markets, interest rates have increased, and increased opposition to mega projects has created a feeling of uncertainty amongst investors.
“The construction market will feel the heat as the overall buying power of the people has reduced,” said Nitin Kunkolienkar president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The EMI on a 20-year loan of Rs 20 lakh works out to about Rs 20,000 plus a month.
“Builders have little choice and will either have to scale down on amenities, sell the apartments at lower rates or sell the entire project to a bigger builder,” says Lobo.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji: In the past few years, a large percentage of property investors in Goa had been foreigners. But restrictive interpretation of FEMA has made it difficult for a foreigner to invest in India, affecting the market.
Says Chandrakant Kundaikar, legal advisor on property issues, “In 2000, 50% of the investors were foreigners, 30% NRIs, 20% people from other states and 10% Goans. By 2008, foreigners were down to 5% and Indians, especially Delhiites, had increased to 55%, followed by NRIs at 30%,” he said. The percentage of Goans has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years.
At the height of the construction boom, prices in Goa had shot through the roof. Said Michael Lobo, director of a trade magazine, “Apartment prices had been overvalued by almost 30-50%.”
The present value of apartments varies from Rs 8,000 to Rs 45,000 per sq m, according to government registered property valuer and architect S N Bhobe. The prices at their highest, range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 45,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula, Miramar and Old Goa. The prices are at their lowest, between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m are at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. “Prices may come down as sales have reduced considerably,” he said.
Developers believe there are a number of reasons for the impending slump: buying power of people has reduced with the crash in the markets, interest rates have increased, and increased opposition to mega projects has created a feeling of uncertainty amongst investors.
“The construction market will feel the heat as the overall buying power of the people has reduced,” said Nitin Kunkolienkar president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The EMI on a 20-year loan of Rs 20 lakh works out to about Rs 20,000 plus a month.
“Builders have little choice and will either have to scale down on amenities, sell the apartments at lower rates or sell the entire project to a bigger builder,” says Lobo.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rhythm Divine - Gujaratis in Goa
Rhythm Divine
Gujaratis in Goa, combine religion and devotion with dance, fun and a riot of colours during Navratri, find Preetu Nair & Govind Kamat Maad
Janvi Shah is determined to keep her title of ‘Garba Queen’ intact. The 19-year-old, aspiring chartered accountant, who’s been winning on the dance floor since she was 9, has spent a fortune on her dazzling chanya cholis (flowing skirt, blouse and long stole) and oxidized jewellery.
“The competition is judged on dress and dance, so all my outfits come from Gujarat and my mother has helped me combine the trendy new designs with the traditional look,” says Shah.
For the Gujarati community in Goa, Navratri celebrations start at least six months in advance. “We get 80-100 orders each year, for chaniya cholis from Gujarat and Mumbai,” says homemaker Devyani Shah, who turns home-based entrepreneur during the period. Outfits range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000, she adds.
Learning the latest dance moves is also big. “We’ve been practicing since a month, every year there’s something new,” says homemaker Sangeeta Parekh.
At Margao’s Gujarati Samaj hall, the “experienced elders” teach the new generation the traditional steps of garba (ritual dance) and dandiya (stick dance). The big night for the “trainees” will be October 11 when the Samaj celebrates Dandiya Rajani at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. “There’s no age or gender bar for learning these dances,” says Needhi Macarawala, whose 12-yearold daughter Noopur has been learning the dandiya since a fortnight.
Panaji-based businessman Harish Hirani points to the 200 dandiyas picked up from Mumbai and Pune and says, “Since its a long holiday weekend this time, we’re expecting huge crowds at the Gasper Dias club, Panaji.” Panaji Gujarati Yuvak Mandal president Kapil Shah adds, “No drinking and drunks will be allowed though.”
Elaborating on the significance of the celebrations, Lalit Shah of Panaji says, it’s “family-bonding time”. “The age barrier is broken. It is fun to learn new steps from your children and the time spent together is precious,” says the chartered accountant. Terming the celebrations in Goa an as yet, “traditional affair”, Kapil Shah says the ritual puja of the Goddess Amba is still the “most important aspect of Navratri”. “It’s also, a purely family affair where anyone can come and play. This is our way of keeping our tradition alive here as people from 5 to 80 dance to the latest recorded garba tunes.”
While in garba, women worship through dance, an akhand diya (lamp) placed within an earthern pot which has holes in a certain order; dandiya sees men and women dance with small polished sticks. TNN
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Gujaratis in Goa, combine religion and devotion with dance, fun and a riot of colours during Navratri, find Preetu Nair & Govind Kamat Maad
Janvi Shah is determined to keep her title of ‘Garba Queen’ intact. The 19-year-old, aspiring chartered accountant, who’s been winning on the dance floor since she was 9, has spent a fortune on her dazzling chanya cholis (flowing skirt, blouse and long stole) and oxidized jewellery.
“The competition is judged on dress and dance, so all my outfits come from Gujarat and my mother has helped me combine the trendy new designs with the traditional look,” says Shah.
For the Gujarati community in Goa, Navratri celebrations start at least six months in advance. “We get 80-100 orders each year, for chaniya cholis from Gujarat and Mumbai,” says homemaker Devyani Shah, who turns home-based entrepreneur during the period. Outfits range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000, she adds.
Learning the latest dance moves is also big. “We’ve been practicing since a month, every year there’s something new,” says homemaker Sangeeta Parekh.
At Margao’s Gujarati Samaj hall, the “experienced elders” teach the new generation the traditional steps of garba (ritual dance) and dandiya (stick dance). The big night for the “trainees” will be October 11 when the Samaj celebrates Dandiya Rajani at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. “There’s no age or gender bar for learning these dances,” says Needhi Macarawala, whose 12-yearold daughter Noopur has been learning the dandiya since a fortnight.
Panaji-based businessman Harish Hirani points to the 200 dandiyas picked up from Mumbai and Pune and says, “Since its a long holiday weekend this time, we’re expecting huge crowds at the Gasper Dias club, Panaji.” Panaji Gujarati Yuvak Mandal president Kapil Shah adds, “No drinking and drunks will be allowed though.”
Elaborating on the significance of the celebrations, Lalit Shah of Panaji says, it’s “family-bonding time”. “The age barrier is broken. It is fun to learn new steps from your children and the time spent together is precious,” says the chartered accountant. Terming the celebrations in Goa an as yet, “traditional affair”, Kapil Shah says the ritual puja of the Goddess Amba is still the “most important aspect of Navratri”. “It’s also, a purely family affair where anyone can come and play. This is our way of keeping our tradition alive here as people from 5 to 80 dance to the latest recorded garba tunes.”
While in garba, women worship through dance, an akhand diya (lamp) placed within an earthern pot which has holes in a certain order; dandiya sees men and women dance with small polished sticks. TNN
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Property prices in Goa realtors in deep trouble
REAL ESTATE TURBULENCE AT HOME AND ABROAD
Goa realtors in deep trouble
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Property prices in Goa are expected to crash by 20% to 25%, even as markets elsewhere have taken a dive. Real estate developers in the state forecast a slump after a phenomenal rise in rates over the past three years.
Michael Lobo, director of Goa’s property and building trade magazine, Homes and Estates, said, “Apartment rates are on the decline as there are no buyers.”
“The market has been stagnant for the last three months. Goa has seen an increase in construction and now the supply far exceeds the demand,” said Robin Alexander from Goa Property Consultancy, Panaji.
“Small time builders are already facing the heat with investors and speculators doing the vanishing act. They are trying to sell their projects to big builders,” said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of Alcon Victor Group.
Sources said a few banks have turned down loans to builders. “Safety is paramount for any financial investment, but with the agitational atmosphere everyone is concerned. A builder who has borrowings or one reaching the completion stage will find it difficult as there is a fund squeeze. The interest rate is increasing and lenders are looking at quality borrowers and real estate is not a priority,” said Dinar Tarcar managing director of Groupé Landscape and executive member Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition (FP)
Goa realtors in deep trouble
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Property prices in Goa are expected to crash by 20% to 25%, even as markets elsewhere have taken a dive. Real estate developers in the state forecast a slump after a phenomenal rise in rates over the past three years.
Michael Lobo, director of Goa’s property and building trade magazine, Homes and Estates, said, “Apartment rates are on the decline as there are no buyers.”
“The market has been stagnant for the last three months. Goa has seen an increase in construction and now the supply far exceeds the demand,” said Robin Alexander from Goa Property Consultancy, Panaji.
“Small time builders are already facing the heat with investors and speculators doing the vanishing act. They are trying to sell their projects to big builders,” said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of Alcon Victor Group.
Sources said a few banks have turned down loans to builders. “Safety is paramount for any financial investment, but with the agitational atmosphere everyone is concerned. A builder who has borrowings or one reaching the completion stage will find it difficult as there is a fund squeeze. The interest rate is increasing and lenders are looking at quality borrowers and real estate is not a priority,” said Dinar Tarcar managing director of Groupé Landscape and executive member Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India.
October 3, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition (FP)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
BITTER REALITY
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With the arrest of three middle class youth, the Goa police not only unraveled the mystery behind thefts, where parked cars were broken into and valuables stolen, but also opened the society’s eyes to a bitter truth. Cases of middle class youth getting drawn to a life of crime are on the rise.
Calangute police arrested three young boys — Gaurish Kerkar alias Gawde, Venkatesh Shintal and Nitin Anande — in the age group of 20-23, from Porvorim, for their alleged involvement in thefts from vehicles at Candolim and Panaji late Monday night. The parents of two of the boys are government employees, while one boy’s father is a businessman. All the accused are school drop-outs.
Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar, explaining the modus operandi of the youth, said that they would keep a watch on vehicles outside night clubs and casinos. “Once the place was empty, they would strike and escape with the booty. The motive was to earn fast money,” said Vernekar.
Last week, two youth were arrested by the Ponda police for their alleged role in robberies in Panaji, Porvorim and Pernem.
According to the police, cases of middle class youth committing crime are on the rise. “Children from middle class families are taking to crime not because of any compulsion, but by choice as they want to make easy money,” said SP (north) Bosco George. Psychiatrists and psychologists feel that this is a result of decreasing moral values imparted by parents to their children and the increasing tendency among the youth to be lured by money and short term gains.
“Movies also glorify criminals. Moreover, once a person commits a crime, it becomes a way of life for him/her. They stop worrying about getting caught or punished. The argument often put forth by such persons is that ‘everyone is looting the people and so are we. When the society is corrupt, why should we deprive ourselves of all the goodies’,” said Dr Ajoy Estibeiro, a psychiatrist.
Fr Socorro Mendes of the family counselling centre said , “Today’s youth want to become affluent and often imitate movies and take every action in life as a challenge.”
October 1,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Crime luring middle class youth: Police
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: With the arrest of three middle class youth, the Goa police not only unraveled the mystery behind thefts, where parked cars were broken into and valuables stolen, but also opened the society’s eyes to a bitter truth. Cases of middle class youth getting drawn to a life of crime are on the rise.
Calangute police arrested three young boys — Gaurish Kerkar alias Gawde, Venkatesh Shintal and Nitin Anande — in the age group of 20-23, from Porvorim, for their alleged involvement in thefts from vehicles at Candolim and Panaji late Monday night. The parents of two of the boys are government employees, while one boy’s father is a businessman. All the accused are school drop-outs.
Calangute PI Tushar Vernekar, explaining the modus operandi of the youth, said that they would keep a watch on vehicles outside night clubs and casinos. “Once the place was empty, they would strike and escape with the booty. The motive was to earn fast money,” said Vernekar.
Last week, two youth were arrested by the Ponda police for their alleged role in robberies in Panaji, Porvorim and Pernem.
According to the police, cases of middle class youth committing crime are on the rise. “Children from middle class families are taking to crime not because of any compulsion, but by choice as they want to make easy money,” said SP (north) Bosco George. Psychiatrists and psychologists feel that this is a result of decreasing moral values imparted by parents to their children and the increasing tendency among the youth to be lured by money and short term gains.
“Movies also glorify criminals. Moreover, once a person commits a crime, it becomes a way of life for him/her. They stop worrying about getting caught or punished. The argument often put forth by such persons is that ‘everyone is looting the people and so are we. When the society is corrupt, why should we deprive ourselves of all the goodies’,” said Dr Ajoy Estibeiro, a psychiatrist.
Fr Socorro Mendes of the family counselling centre said , “Today’s youth want to become affluent and often imitate movies and take every action in life as a challenge.”
October 1,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TERROR THREATENS PRIVACY - Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
TERROR THREATENS PRIVACY
Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
Sanjay Banerjee & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji/Margao: Privacy on Goa’s beaches could take a hit because of the terror threat. Closed circuit television cameras could soon be monitoring that romantic walk on the beach or moonlight picnic should a Goa police proposal come through.
The police proposal, sent to the two district collectors, came after the two district SPs conducted a security survey of some tourist hotspots in their jurisdiction.
The tourism minister’s office said “there are funds for a beach management policy and we can always consider the proposal”. Tourism minister, Francisco Xavier Pacheco, currently in Moscow participating in a tourism mart, is expected to take a decision following the South Goa collector, G P Naik, forwarding the SP’s letter to his department.
While the North Goa police surveyed night clubs, entertainment areas and the flea market in Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, the South Goa police visited Bogmalo, Palolem and Colva beaches.
The SP (South) has proposed installing 30 CCTVs—10 each at Colva, Bogmalo and Palolem beaches that attract lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The SP has also asked for CCTVs at parking areas. The plan proposes two CCTVs for the parking areas at Bogmalo and Palolem and four at Colva to keep watch on vehicles as these are often used to plant bombs.
The SP (North) has made similar proposals, besides emphasising that “all discotheques should close by 12 am and licences shouldn’t be recommended to entertainment areas that don’t have adequate parking, illumination, CCTV coverage and proper security cover”. Parking areas to be illuminated
Panaji/Margao: Most of the beaches in the state could soon have closed circuit television cameras to monitor the movement of visitors.
The two district SPs did a security survey of some tourist hot spots in their areas and submitted reports to the district collectors. The SP (North) brought to the notice of the authorities that parking areas should be fully illuminated and have CCTV coverage.
Elaborate proposals have also been worked out for parking vehicles on New Year’s Eve, when the holiday crowd is huge. Despite Colva having ample parking space, on December 31, parking will be allowed in an open field and the electricity department will be asked to illuminate the area in consultation with Margao traffic cell.
For Bogmalo on December 31, the police have worked out different plans for the day and night. The movement of traffic on the Bogmalo road will continue as usual during the day, but after 8.00 pm vehicles will be stopped and parking allowed in an open ground where 800 to 1000 four wheelers and about 2000 two wheelers can be accommodated.
A shuttle service operated by Kadamba Transport Corporation will ferry tourists over the 2km stretch from the parking area to the beach.
“Village panchayats concerned may be asked to install traffic signs and to level the place in consultation with Vasco traffic cell,” the plan has proposed.
October 1, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Eye in the sky for Goa beaches?
Sanjay Banerjee & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji/Margao: Privacy on Goa’s beaches could take a hit because of the terror threat. Closed circuit television cameras could soon be monitoring that romantic walk on the beach or moonlight picnic should a Goa police proposal come through.
The police proposal, sent to the two district collectors, came after the two district SPs conducted a security survey of some tourist hotspots in their jurisdiction.
The tourism minister’s office said “there are funds for a beach management policy and we can always consider the proposal”. Tourism minister, Francisco Xavier Pacheco, currently in Moscow participating in a tourism mart, is expected to take a decision following the South Goa collector, G P Naik, forwarding the SP’s letter to his department.
While the North Goa police surveyed night clubs, entertainment areas and the flea market in Calangute, Baga and Anjuna, the South Goa police visited Bogmalo, Palolem and Colva beaches.
The SP (South) has proposed installing 30 CCTVs—10 each at Colva, Bogmalo and Palolem beaches that attract lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year. The SP has also asked for CCTVs at parking areas. The plan proposes two CCTVs for the parking areas at Bogmalo and Palolem and four at Colva to keep watch on vehicles as these are often used to plant bombs.
The SP (North) has made similar proposals, besides emphasising that “all discotheques should close by 12 am and licences shouldn’t be recommended to entertainment areas that don’t have adequate parking, illumination, CCTV coverage and proper security cover”. Parking areas to be illuminated
Panaji/Margao: Most of the beaches in the state could soon have closed circuit television cameras to monitor the movement of visitors.
The two district SPs did a security survey of some tourist hot spots in their areas and submitted reports to the district collectors. The SP (North) brought to the notice of the authorities that parking areas should be fully illuminated and have CCTV coverage.
Elaborate proposals have also been worked out for parking vehicles on New Year’s Eve, when the holiday crowd is huge. Despite Colva having ample parking space, on December 31, parking will be allowed in an open field and the electricity department will be asked to illuminate the area in consultation with Margao traffic cell.
For Bogmalo on December 31, the police have worked out different plans for the day and night. The movement of traffic on the Bogmalo road will continue as usual during the day, but after 8.00 pm vehicles will be stopped and parking allowed in an open ground where 800 to 1000 four wheelers and about 2000 two wheelers can be accommodated.
A shuttle service operated by Kadamba Transport Corporation will ferry tourists over the 2km stretch from the parking area to the beach.
“Village panchayats concerned may be asked to install traffic signs and to level the place in consultation with Vasco traffic cell,” the plan has proposed.
October 1, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
24 bomb hoaxes in Goa in Sept
24 bomb hoaxes in Goa in Sept
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As the nation struggled to cope with terror strikes, pranksters in Goa made 24 hoax calls to the police control room in September.
In the past two days alone, about six calls were made informing the police about bombs having been planted at various locations. Of these, four were prank calls and two informed the police about unknown objects in the vicinity of the bus stand at Margao and Junta house, Panaji.
“Any call to the police about suspicious objects cannot be ignored and we rush our personnel to the spot. But more than 70% phone calls are prank calls,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
Every time there is a bomb scare, the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs are rushed to the spot, the area cordoned off and an extensive and hectic search carried out. At the end of the operation, if no explosives are detected, the calls are declared hoaxes.
‘Prank calls amount to mischief mongering’
Panaji: Twenty four hoax calls were made in September to the police control room.
The police reveal that the highest number of bomb hoax calls — five — were made within eight hours on September 25, 2008, sending the sleuths rushing in search of non-existent bombs. In August, about 10 hoax calls were made to the PCR. However, not a single person has been arrested for making such a call.
“People should behave responsibly and think twice before making a call. A mischievous or prank call diverts police resources, which can cause irreparable damage in case the police is unable to attend to a real threat due to a hoax call. A prank call amounts to mischief mongering,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
1 October, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: As the nation struggled to cope with terror strikes, pranksters in Goa made 24 hoax calls to the police control room in September.
In the past two days alone, about six calls were made informing the police about bombs having been planted at various locations. Of these, four were prank calls and two informed the police about unknown objects in the vicinity of the bus stand at Margao and Junta house, Panaji.
“Any call to the police about suspicious objects cannot be ignored and we rush our personnel to the spot. But more than 70% phone calls are prank calls,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
Every time there is a bomb scare, the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs are rushed to the spot, the area cordoned off and an extensive and hectic search carried out. At the end of the operation, if no explosives are detected, the calls are declared hoaxes.
‘Prank calls amount to mischief mongering’
Panaji: Twenty four hoax calls were made in September to the police control room.
The police reveal that the highest number of bomb hoax calls — five — were made within eight hours on September 25, 2008, sending the sleuths rushing in search of non-existent bombs. In August, about 10 hoax calls were made to the PCR. However, not a single person has been arrested for making such a call.
“People should behave responsibly and think twice before making a call. A mischievous or prank call diverts police resources, which can cause irreparable damage in case the police is unable to attend to a real threat due to a hoax call. A prank call amounts to mischief mongering,” said SP (PCR) Atmaram Deshpande.
1 October, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
DOPE ON DRUGS‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
DOPE ON DRUGS
‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: David Driham aka Dudu, picked up by the Mumbai cops on September 20 from Anjuna, has revealed that there are more than 250 people dealing in narcotics in the state.
“During interrogations, Dudu revealed that there is a gang of about 250 people dealing in drugs and all of them are operating from Goa. However, he has not revealed from where and how the narcotic
drugs come to Goa,” said investigating officer PI Anil Jadhav from the Mumbai police’s anti-narcotic cell.
PI Jadhav said that they got to know of Dudu’s activities after they arrested an agent from Goa, Nana, in Mumbai while attempting to distribute 500 ecstasy tablets and 400 LSD tablets in Mumbai pubs and discotheques earlier this month. “He revealed that he had got his supply from an Israeli named Dudu from Anjuna. Based on this information, we raided his house and brought him to Mumbai for further investigations.”
Dudu has been booked under section 8 (interstate movement of narcotics), section 22 (possession of drugs) and section 29 (abettment and participation in a criminal conspiracy) under the NPDS Act.
Dudu has been living in Goa for a few years. According to documents submitted by him before the Adhoc Additional District judge, Panaji in a civil suit filed by him against the state government for serving him a deportation order in 2006, Dudu said that he had come to Goa for the first time in November 2003 and set up a company — Dudu Division Import Export Private Limited — along with his Israeli wife Ronit Harel and Goan partner Sagar Adelkar in 2004.
He also informed the court that he had come to Goa on a business visa from Bangkok and was staying in a rented house at Gaonkarwaddo, Anjuna since 2004. His company, formed with the objective of buying, selling, importing, exporting, general trading in textiles and garments, was registered as a private limited company on April 23, 2004, with its office at Gaonkarwaddo.
Dudu had been under police scrutiny in Goa and the state government had made two attempts to deport him. “We had strong suspicions that he was dealing in drugs. We had raided his house twice, but it didn’t yield any results,” said SP (ANC) Omprakash Kudtarkar.
In an attempt in 2006, the home department on February 15, 2006 had issued a deportation order asking him to leave the country within 15 days. However, Dudu challenged the order in the Adhoc Additional District court, Panaji, stating that the visa granted by the Indian embassy in Bangkok, extended up to October 26, 2006 and had not yet expired.
Dudu continued to stay in the country even after his visa expired and on October 28, 2006, the Anjuna police booked him for overstaying. The state government issued a “Leave India Notice” to him on November 2, 2006, soon after Dudu wrote to the Home department requesting an extension of stay in India for him and his wife, which was denied. “As the matter is still pending in court, he continues to stay in Goa,” added SP Fernandes.
September 30.2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
‘Over 250 drug dealers in Goa’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: David Driham aka Dudu, picked up by the Mumbai cops on September 20 from Anjuna, has revealed that there are more than 250 people dealing in narcotics in the state.
“During interrogations, Dudu revealed that there is a gang of about 250 people dealing in drugs and all of them are operating from Goa. However, he has not revealed from where and how the narcotic
drugs come to Goa,” said investigating officer PI Anil Jadhav from the Mumbai police’s anti-narcotic cell.
PI Jadhav said that they got to know of Dudu’s activities after they arrested an agent from Goa, Nana, in Mumbai while attempting to distribute 500 ecstasy tablets and 400 LSD tablets in Mumbai pubs and discotheques earlier this month. “He revealed that he had got his supply from an Israeli named Dudu from Anjuna. Based on this information, we raided his house and brought him to Mumbai for further investigations.”
Dudu has been booked under section 8 (interstate movement of narcotics), section 22 (possession of drugs) and section 29 (abettment and participation in a criminal conspiracy) under the NPDS Act.
Dudu has been living in Goa for a few years. According to documents submitted by him before the Adhoc Additional District judge, Panaji in a civil suit filed by him against the state government for serving him a deportation order in 2006, Dudu said that he had come to Goa for the first time in November 2003 and set up a company — Dudu Division Import Export Private Limited — along with his Israeli wife Ronit Harel and Goan partner Sagar Adelkar in 2004.
He also informed the court that he had come to Goa on a business visa from Bangkok and was staying in a rented house at Gaonkarwaddo, Anjuna since 2004. His company, formed with the objective of buying, selling, importing, exporting, general trading in textiles and garments, was registered as a private limited company on April 23, 2004, with its office at Gaonkarwaddo.
Dudu had been under police scrutiny in Goa and the state government had made two attempts to deport him. “We had strong suspicions that he was dealing in drugs. We had raided his house twice, but it didn’t yield any results,” said SP (ANC) Omprakash Kudtarkar.
In an attempt in 2006, the home department on February 15, 2006 had issued a deportation order asking him to leave the country within 15 days. However, Dudu challenged the order in the Adhoc Additional District court, Panaji, stating that the visa granted by the Indian embassy in Bangkok, extended up to October 26, 2006 and had not yet expired.
Dudu continued to stay in the country even after his visa expired and on October 28, 2006, the Anjuna police booked him for overstaying. The state government issued a “Leave India Notice” to him on November 2, 2006, soon after Dudu wrote to the Home department requesting an extension of stay in India for him and his wife, which was denied. “As the matter is still pending in court, he continues to stay in Goa,” added SP Fernandes.
September 30.2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
AC at Goa Medical College ICU not working for one month
ACs at GMC ICU not working for one month
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The air conditioner at GMC’s intensive care unit has not been working for the last one month. And the ACs at coronary care unit and intermediate intensive care unit have been out for a week.
Doctors say such facilities—they being closed areas and patients being in critical condition—24x7 functioning ACs are essential. “The functioning of ACs is a must to maintain sterility, circulation of air and a comfortable ambient temperature for patients,” said Dr Rufino Monteiro, who also works with the ICU at Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
“If the AC doesn’t function 24x7, the room temperature will rise, causing discomfort to patients, disturb their metabolism and deteriorate their condition, besides increasing the risk of infection,” he said.
GMC’s medical superintendent, Rajan Kunkolienkar, said, “For the last two-three weeks there has been trouble as the main transformer has some snag. We have informed Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and they are in the process of getting replacements. Though the AC is functioning periodically, the effect is not perfect.”
Doctors fear this could increase the risk of infections among patients and also lead to the damage of expensive equipment, like the machine monitoring cardiovascular parameters, respiratory, renal and nervous system functioning.
GSIDC electrical manager N R Vhaval said, “There is a problem with the transformer, but the AC plant works either with the help of the transformer or generator. We don’t know whether the AC is in operation in the rooms as the operating contract is not with us. Even if the AC plant is working but the air handling unit maintained by GMC is not started in the respective rooms, there won’t be any cooling.” Kunkolienkar also said GMC had purchased a new transformer, which arrived on Saturday and would be installed soon. GSIDC confirmed this.
While patients affected by life threatening conditions like acute respiratory failure, cardiac failure, deep coma or major trauma patients are admitted to the ICU, patients with cardiac arrest and blood pressure problems are admitted at the CCU. GMC’s ICU has eight beds, CCU has seven beds and the ICCU has 18 beds.
September 30, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The air conditioner at GMC’s intensive care unit has not been working for the last one month. And the ACs at coronary care unit and intermediate intensive care unit have been out for a week.
Doctors say such facilities—they being closed areas and patients being in critical condition—24x7 functioning ACs are essential. “The functioning of ACs is a must to maintain sterility, circulation of air and a comfortable ambient temperature for patients,” said Dr Rufino Monteiro, who also works with the ICU at Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
“If the AC doesn’t function 24x7, the room temperature will rise, causing discomfort to patients, disturb their metabolism and deteriorate their condition, besides increasing the risk of infection,” he said.
GMC’s medical superintendent, Rajan Kunkolienkar, said, “For the last two-three weeks there has been trouble as the main transformer has some snag. We have informed Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and they are in the process of getting replacements. Though the AC is functioning periodically, the effect is not perfect.”
Doctors fear this could increase the risk of infections among patients and also lead to the damage of expensive equipment, like the machine monitoring cardiovascular parameters, respiratory, renal and nervous system functioning.
GSIDC electrical manager N R Vhaval said, “There is a problem with the transformer, but the AC plant works either with the help of the transformer or generator. We don’t know whether the AC is in operation in the rooms as the operating contract is not with us. Even if the AC plant is working but the air handling unit maintained by GMC is not started in the respective rooms, there won’t be any cooling.” Kunkolienkar also said GMC had purchased a new transformer, which arrived on Saturday and would be installed soon. GSIDC confirmed this.
While patients affected by life threatening conditions like acute respiratory failure, cardiac failure, deep coma or major trauma patients are admitted to the ICU, patients with cardiac arrest and blood pressure problems are admitted at the CCU. GMC’s ICU has eight beds, CCU has seven beds and the ICCU has 18 beds.
September 30, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, September 29, 2008
BITTER PILL Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
BITTER PILL
Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the government is gearing up to prohibit smoking in public places from October 2, owners of pubs and shacks claim that this move ‘would affect their business and reduce their clientele’.
“More than 90% tourists, especially foreigners, who come to the shacks come to drink, smoke, make merry and enjoy the beauty of the sea. If we ask them not to smoke, then it will reduce our clientele and affect tourism,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Association president, Cruz Cardozo. He said that they would be making a representation to the government to relax the ban for the tourists who visit the shacks, as 90% of the guests smoke. “We can’t stop our guests from smoking, we can only request them not to smoke. We hope the government would grant us permission to place tables and chairs outside the shack so that people who want to smoke, can sit at the beach and smoke,” said shack owner from Betalbatim Inacio Fernandes.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of an NGO National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), “If a shack has sitting capacity of more than 31, they should have smoking
zone. If the number is less than 30, then they should be smoke free. The deck beds belong to the shack owner and it should also be smoke free.”
The government of India has notified revised rules on the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places on 30 May 2008, which would be enforced by the Goa government in the state from October 2. As per the revised rules, smoking is banned in shopping malls, cinema halls, public/private work places, hotels, banquet halls, discotheques, canteens, coffee houses, pubs, bars, airport lounges and railway stations.
A few shack owners state that there is a need to create awareness amongst tourists about the smoking ban to avoid any confrontations. “If someone comes smoking into the shack, we can’t ask them to leave. It is inhospitable and would affect business. But we will request them to go and sit on the deck beds placed on the beach and smoke,” said a shack owner from Arambol, Suresh Barde.
Meanwhile, some of the night pubs have decided to adhere to the government policy. R Chandrashekar, director of finance, Goa Marriott Resort, said that they will abide by the law in letter and spirit.
“Smoking will be prohibited in the entire hotel premises as prescribed by the Act .We have always been cooperative towards every government policy,” he added.
September 29, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the government is gearing up to prohibit smoking in public places from October 2, owners of pubs and shacks claim that this move ‘would affect their business and reduce their clientele’.
“More than 90% tourists, especially foreigners, who come to the shacks come to drink, smoke, make merry and enjoy the beauty of the sea. If we ask them not to smoke, then it will reduce our clientele and affect tourism,” said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Association president, Cruz Cardozo. He said that they would be making a representation to the government to relax the ban for the tourists who visit the shacks, as 90% of the guests smoke. “We can’t stop our guests from smoking, we can only request them not to smoke. We hope the government would grant us permission to place tables and chairs outside the shack so that people who want to smoke, can sit at the beach and smoke,” said shack owner from Betalbatim Inacio Fernandes.
According to Dr Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of an NGO National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), “If a shack has sitting capacity of more than 31, they should have smoking
zone. If the number is less than 30, then they should be smoke free. The deck beds belong to the shack owner and it should also be smoke free.”
The government of India has notified revised rules on the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places on 30 May 2008, which would be enforced by the Goa government in the state from October 2. As per the revised rules, smoking is banned in shopping malls, cinema halls, public/private work places, hotels, banquet halls, discotheques, canteens, coffee houses, pubs, bars, airport lounges and railway stations.
A few shack owners state that there is a need to create awareness amongst tourists about the smoking ban to avoid any confrontations. “If someone comes smoking into the shack, we can’t ask them to leave. It is inhospitable and would affect business. But we will request them to go and sit on the deck beds placed on the beach and smoke,” said a shack owner from Arambol, Suresh Barde.
Meanwhile, some of the night pubs have decided to adhere to the government policy. R Chandrashekar, director of finance, Goa Marriott Resort, said that they will abide by the law in letter and spirit.
“Smoking will be prohibited in the entire hotel premises as prescribed by the Act .We have always been cooperative towards every government policy,” he added.
September 29, 2008,The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Cops: Goa nightclubs sitting ducks for terrorists
Cops: Goa nightclubs sitting ducks for terrorists
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Nightclubs in the state will continue to rock, but under the glare of security. Calling discotheques and other entertainment venues, “sitting ducks for terrorists”, the police have issued notices asking them to strengthen security or face consequences, which could lead to imprisonment.
Pointing out that several entertainment and nightclubs premises were unsafe, director general of police B S Brar said, “Goa is a tourist state and we have to ensure that all premises are reasonably safe. If it is not so, and the owners permit entry of people with this knowledge, legal action would be taken against them under section 304 and 304 (a) of IPC.”
While section 304 of IPC deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, section 304A deals with causing death by negligence not amounting to culpable homicide.
“Goa being a tourist destination can be the potential target for terrorist attacks. To ensure security we are taking these steps as a majority of discotheques and entertainment zones in the coastal areas are sitting ducks for terrorists,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
Rushing to meet the demands of the police, a few nightclubs have hired women bouncers as “door security” staff along with male bouncers, while others have banned the parking of vehicles close to the venue, besides illuminating the area, installing CCTVs and metal detectors.
“We have everything in place to ensure safety and security of our guests. We have placed a metal detector at the entrance and have not only employed male bouncers but even female bouncers for the first time,” said David D’Souza of Club Titos and Cafe Mambo at Baga. Besides illuminating the place, Titos have also installed CCTVs on the road leading to the nightclubs as well as inside the club and ensured that no one parks close to the venue. Nightclubs to frisk guests
Panaji: Night clubs in Goa are getting ready to face the terror threat. Steve Fernandes of Hill Top Disco at Anjuna said, “Anyone who enters the discotheque will be frisked by male and female bouncers throughout the season. Besides, no one will be allowed to enter the premise with their handbags.”
With a heightened terror threat perception, police in coastal areas are inspecting “unsafe” premises, especially night clubs, discotheques and dance floors, checking the security system. If the security facilities are found to be poor, a notice under section 149 of CrPC stating that in case of mishap, a case under section 304 of the IPC would be registered against the owner.
While the Calangute police have issued five notices, the Anjuna police have started inspections. Police admit that the notice would be issued to those premises which have few entry and exit points, no emergency exit, a narrow, ill lit access making it difficult for a fire engine or ambulance to come close in case of emergency, premises without a CCTV or metal detector and proper parking place.
September 28, 2008 Front Page Page 1, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Nightclubs in the state will continue to rock, but under the glare of security. Calling discotheques and other entertainment venues, “sitting ducks for terrorists”, the police have issued notices asking them to strengthen security or face consequences, which could lead to imprisonment.
Pointing out that several entertainment and nightclubs premises were unsafe, director general of police B S Brar said, “Goa is a tourist state and we have to ensure that all premises are reasonably safe. If it is not so, and the owners permit entry of people with this knowledge, legal action would be taken against them under section 304 and 304 (a) of IPC.”
While section 304 of IPC deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, section 304A deals with causing death by negligence not amounting to culpable homicide.
“Goa being a tourist destination can be the potential target for terrorist attacks. To ensure security we are taking these steps as a majority of discotheques and entertainment zones in the coastal areas are sitting ducks for terrorists,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
Rushing to meet the demands of the police, a few nightclubs have hired women bouncers as “door security” staff along with male bouncers, while others have banned the parking of vehicles close to the venue, besides illuminating the area, installing CCTVs and metal detectors.
“We have everything in place to ensure safety and security of our guests. We have placed a metal detector at the entrance and have not only employed male bouncers but even female bouncers for the first time,” said David D’Souza of Club Titos and Cafe Mambo at Baga. Besides illuminating the place, Titos have also installed CCTVs on the road leading to the nightclubs as well as inside the club and ensured that no one parks close to the venue. Nightclubs to frisk guests
Panaji: Night clubs in Goa are getting ready to face the terror threat. Steve Fernandes of Hill Top Disco at Anjuna said, “Anyone who enters the discotheque will be frisked by male and female bouncers throughout the season. Besides, no one will be allowed to enter the premise with their handbags.”
With a heightened terror threat perception, police in coastal areas are inspecting “unsafe” premises, especially night clubs, discotheques and dance floors, checking the security system. If the security facilities are found to be poor, a notice under section 149 of CrPC stating that in case of mishap, a case under section 304 of the IPC would be registered against the owner.
While the Calangute police have issued five notices, the Anjuna police have started inspections. Police admit that the notice would be issued to those premises which have few entry and exit points, no emergency exit, a narrow, ill lit access making it difficult for a fire engine or ambulance to come close in case of emergency, premises without a CCTV or metal detector and proper parking place.
September 28, 2008 Front Page Page 1, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, September 26, 2008
Classmate assaults Margao girl, posts video on Youtube
Classmate assaults Margao girl, posts video on Youtube
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Margao: A video recording of a standard XII student being beaten up by a fellow student in the classroom and uploaded on youtube has left the victim depressed and traumatized.
The victim, a student of RMS higher secondary school Margao, in a complaint to the police said that at 3 pm on September 13, a classmate called her to the classroom stating that she wanted to talk to her. She then began to abuse and hit her. The following day, the victim learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up had been uploaded on the net.
“I am hurt about the nasty comments on the internet against me. I suspect that the whole incident was planned to defame me,” said the victim, who has not attended class since that day and says she will never again go to the school. “Everybody is laughing at me. I have become a butt of ridicule and I can’t take the taunts and unwarranted comments from my schoolmates,” added the victim.
School principal Vinod Pawar admitted that the incident had occurred in the school. “We have asked for an explanation from both students. Both are adolescents and we are trying to sort the matter
amicably. If a compromise is not arrived at, I would have to take appropriate action.”
Pawar blamed the parents for the situation. “At all parents-teachers meetings, I had requested parents not to provide mobile phones to their children. Yet, more than 50% of the students bring mobiles and some misuse them. Parents are themselves responsible for such irresponsible behaviour of the students,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother has demanded action against the girl who assaulted her daughter and forwarded the video clip to mobile phones and posted it on internet sites.
In her complaint to the principal, she said that in the previous few days she had noticed an abrupt change in her daughter’s behaviour, which prompted her to quiz her. The mother claimed that the girl, otherwise “vibrant and vivacious”, had turned “distraught and depressed”, and was reluctantly attending class.
Upon questioning her daughter, the mother learnt that the former had been assaulted by one of her classmates and that a video clipping of the assault was being circulated among the students through mobile phones and the on internet.
The Margao police have registered a complaint and are investigating the matter.
September 26,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Margao: A video recording of a standard XII student being beaten up by a fellow student in the classroom and uploaded on youtube has left the victim depressed and traumatized.
The victim, a student of RMS higher secondary school Margao, in a complaint to the police said that at 3 pm on September 13, a classmate called her to the classroom stating that she wanted to talk to her. She then began to abuse and hit her. The following day, the victim learnt that a video clipping of her being beaten up had been uploaded on the net.
“I am hurt about the nasty comments on the internet against me. I suspect that the whole incident was planned to defame me,” said the victim, who has not attended class since that day and says she will never again go to the school. “Everybody is laughing at me. I have become a butt of ridicule and I can’t take the taunts and unwarranted comments from my schoolmates,” added the victim.
School principal Vinod Pawar admitted that the incident had occurred in the school. “We have asked for an explanation from both students. Both are adolescents and we are trying to sort the matter
amicably. If a compromise is not arrived at, I would have to take appropriate action.”
Pawar blamed the parents for the situation. “At all parents-teachers meetings, I had requested parents not to provide mobile phones to their children. Yet, more than 50% of the students bring mobiles and some misuse them. Parents are themselves responsible for such irresponsible behaviour of the students,” said Pawar.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother has demanded action against the girl who assaulted her daughter and forwarded the video clip to mobile phones and posted it on internet sites.
In her complaint to the principal, she said that in the previous few days she had noticed an abrupt change in her daughter’s behaviour, which prompted her to quiz her. The mother claimed that the girl, otherwise “vibrant and vivacious”, had turned “distraught and depressed”, and was reluctantly attending class.
Upon questioning her daughter, the mother learnt that the former had been assaulted by one of her classmates and that a video clipping of the assault was being circulated among the students through mobile phones and the on internet.
The Margao police have registered a complaint and are investigating the matter.
September 26,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Panaji cops arrest bird thief
PANAJI: The Panaji police arrested one Pratik Soste (36), wanted by the Pune police for his involvement in the theft of foreign birds worth Rs 12-15 lakh.
The accused was arrested at the Panaji bus stand. Police inspector Francisco Corte said that Soste was in Goa for the last three months and was staying at Old Goa.
"The Pune police had informed us that he was involved in the theft of expensive foreign birds," the PI said. The Goa police have intimated their Pune counterparts about the arrest.
September 26, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
The accused was arrested at the Panaji bus stand. Police inspector Francisco Corte said that Soste was in Goa for the last three months and was staying at Old Goa.
"The Pune police had informed us that he was involved in the theft of expensive foreign birds," the PI said. The Goa police have intimated their Pune counterparts about the arrest.
September 26, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, September 25, 2008
CHARTERS WARNED:Drunken tourists to be sent back
CHARTERS WARNED
Drunken tourists to be sent back
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The immigration department of the Goa police has made it clear to charter and tour operators in the state that if any foreign tourist creates nuisance at the airport under the influence of alcohol then it (immigration department) may even issue a ‘request to leave’ (RTL) notice to the concerned airlines.
At a meeting of all charter and tour operators on Wednesday at the police headquarters — to discuss various issues related to charter flights for the season from October to May 2009 — the SP (immigration), Tony Fernandes, said, “During the last charter season it was noted that many passengers, particularly from Russia, arrived under heavy influence of alcohol and created nuisance in the arrival bay. Immigration reserves the right to accept or reject
such passengers and if required issue a RTL notice to the concerned airlines.”
The police have also asked for an advance list of charter flights to be operated by different flight operators with dates and arrival and departure timings.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Drunken tourists to be sent back
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The immigration department of the Goa police has made it clear to charter and tour operators in the state that if any foreign tourist creates nuisance at the airport under the influence of alcohol then it (immigration department) may even issue a ‘request to leave’ (RTL) notice to the concerned airlines.
At a meeting of all charter and tour operators on Wednesday at the police headquarters — to discuss various issues related to charter flights for the season from October to May 2009 — the SP (immigration), Tony Fernandes, said, “During the last charter season it was noted that many passengers, particularly from Russia, arrived under heavy influence of alcohol and created nuisance in the arrival bay. Immigration reserves the right to accept or reject
such passengers and if required issue a RTL notice to the concerned airlines.”
The police have also asked for an advance list of charter flights to be operated by different flight operators with dates and arrival and departure timings.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa DGP seeks to curb political transfers
DGP seeks to curb political transfers
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police officers seeking transfers through political pressure may not get them this time. Stymieing transfer moves by police officers before the tourist season, DGP B S Brar in a letter to the chief secretary said that “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years”.
The letter goes on to say that “the home department may circulate the concerned portion of an SC judgment (in this regard) to all concerned”. Senior police officials admit that Brar’s note would have a dual effect. “It will put an end to the number of police officials approaching politicians to ensure a transfer before the tourist season. This would end the phenomenon of frequent and indiscriminate transfers ordered on political considerations,” said an official. Transfer guidelines for cops as per SC
Panaji: The state DGP B S Brar has written a letter to the chief secretary stating “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years.”
When contacted, Brar said he was following orders of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh and others versus the Union of India case. “As per the Supreme Court guidelines, SP in charge of a district and police inspector incharge of a police station can’t be transferred unless they have completed two years.”
According to the Supreme Court judgement, an IGP, an SP in charge of district and station house officer incharge of a police station, “shall have a prescribed minimum tenure of two year unless it is found necessary to remove them prematurely following disciplinary proceedings against them or their conviction in a criminal offence or in a case of corruption or if the incumbent is otherwise incapacitated from discharging his responsibilities.”
Said DGP Brar, “This two year tenure is essential as the officers have developed a knowledge of the area and the people, and shouldn’t be disturbed, for effective policing and police-community relations.”
Police sources admit that during the month of September there had been an increased interaction of police officers with politicians to ensure plum postings, especially in tourism areas. “There has been increased pressure on the police headquarters from politicians to transfer police officials to hot police stations before the onset of tourist season,” said a senior police official. But Brar is firm that the two year rule shall be strictly enforced.
Meanwhile, IGP Kishan Kumar at an interaction with the beat constables of North Goa on Monday evening said that the success of the beat system would be achieved only if the beat constables are not transferred for at least two years.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Police officers seeking transfers through political pressure may not get them this time. Stymieing transfer moves by police officers before the tourist season, DGP B S Brar in a letter to the chief secretary said that “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years”.
The letter goes on to say that “the home department may circulate the concerned portion of an SC judgment (in this regard) to all concerned”. Senior police officials admit that Brar’s note would have a dual effect. “It will put an end to the number of police officials approaching politicians to ensure a transfer before the tourist season. This would end the phenomenon of frequent and indiscriminate transfers ordered on political considerations,” said an official. Transfer guidelines for cops as per SC
Panaji: The state DGP B S Brar has written a letter to the chief secretary stating “the Police Establishment Board continues to receive number of requests asking for transfer, but the operation officers have to serve a minimum tenure of two years.”
When contacted, Brar said he was following orders of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh and others versus the Union of India case. “As per the Supreme Court guidelines, SP in charge of a district and police inspector incharge of a police station can’t be transferred unless they have completed two years.”
According to the Supreme Court judgement, an IGP, an SP in charge of district and station house officer incharge of a police station, “shall have a prescribed minimum tenure of two year unless it is found necessary to remove them prematurely following disciplinary proceedings against them or their conviction in a criminal offence or in a case of corruption or if the incumbent is otherwise incapacitated from discharging his responsibilities.”
Said DGP Brar, “This two year tenure is essential as the officers have developed a knowledge of the area and the people, and shouldn’t be disturbed, for effective policing and police-community relations.”
Police sources admit that during the month of September there had been an increased interaction of police officers with politicians to ensure plum postings, especially in tourism areas. “There has been increased pressure on the police headquarters from politicians to transfer police officials to hot police stations before the onset of tourist season,” said a senior police official. But Brar is firm that the two year rule shall be strictly enforced.
Meanwhile, IGP Kishan Kumar at an interaction with the beat constables of North Goa on Monday evening said that the success of the beat system would be achieved only if the beat constables are not transferred for at least two years.
September 25,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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