Police station attack case to be given to CBI soon: CS

Panaji, Apr 1 (UNI) The Goa government will soon order a CBI probe into the February 19 attack on Panjim headquarters police station and subsequent thrashing of peoples' representatives, including Taleigao MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, who led the mob that went berserk.

''Chief Secretary-cum-Home Secretary J P Singh told UNI here today, ''All the case files related to the episode will soon be handed over to the CBI for a thorough probe.'' In consonance with the assurance given to the Bombay High Court bench here last week, in response to a writ petition of Bauah and others, the authorities finalised the modalities yesterday.

However, the government was yet to finalise the decision to hand over the case related to alleged ''rape and murder'' of British teenager Scarlette Eden Keeling to the CBI, Mr Singh said.

Mr Monserrate, his wife Jennifer and injured Mayor Tony Rodrigues' wife Ubaldina Rodrigues had filed writ petitions in the High Court, seeking a CBI probe.

The trio complained of violation of human rights and sought a directive of the court to the state government for ordering a CBI probe into the episode.

Earlier, even the wives of several injured policemen had demanded a CBI probe into the entire episode and threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the police were victimised by the government.

The MLA, leading the mob of his followers, had staged a sit-in strike in front of the police station demanding suspension of a police inspector for his alleged connivance with a rival gang on the evening of February 19.

The mob attacked the station with stones and other lethal weapons and injured several police personnel, including women.

This forced the police to resort to lathi-charge and burst tear-gas shells, while the mob set afire police vehicles.

In retaliation, the police allegedly raided the legislator's house and damaged furniture and smashed wind-screens of his vehicles parked outside.

The MLA, Jennifer and their son besides others were arrested later for threatening the police personnel. However, they were later released on a conditional bail by a sessions court.

The government later transferred the North Goa Police superintendent, a DSP, PI and the SI, besides some constables in connection with the case.

UNI BM DB HS RK1140/1200