Vasco Court Clears Five Accused in Goa Airport Disruption Case Citing Investigative Failures
A judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) court in Vasco, Goa, has delivered a significant verdict, acquitting five individuals who were facing charges of unlawful assembly and public nuisance at the Goa International Airport in Dabolim. The incident, which allegedly occurred in the early hours of May 2022, saw the accused cleared of all accusations due to what the court described as serious lapses in the police investigation.
Details of the Case and the Accused
The case centered on an event that took place between 3:30 AM and 3:35 AM at the airport's departure gate. According to the prosecution, the five accused arrived in a vehicle and formed an unlawful assembly, thereby causing inconvenience and disruption to passengers at the busy international terminal. The individuals named in the case were Joseph Minguel, Leslie De Souza, and Felizardo Cliff De Souza, all residents of Katem Baina, along with Dishu Singh and Troy Fernandes from Vasco.
Presiding over the court, Magistrate Pooja S. Desai issued the judgment that led to the acquittal. The ruling highlighted multiple deficiencies in how the investigation was conducted by the authorities, ultimately undermining the prosecution's ability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Court's Critique of Investigative Procedures
In her detailed judgment, Magistrate Desai pointed out several critical flaws that compromised the case. Firstly, the investigating officer failed to conduct a test identification parade, which is a standard procedure to ensure reliable identification of suspects by witnesses. This omission left a gap in the evidence chain regarding who exactly was involved in the alleged incident.
Secondly, the prosecution did not assign specific roles to each of the accused in the unlawful assembly. Without clear delineation of individual actions, the court found it difficult to establish culpability under the relevant legal provisions. This lack of specificity further weakened the case against the five individuals.
Issues with Witness Testimony and Evidence
Another major shortfall noted by the court was the failure to examine independent witnesses who were visible in video footage from the airport. Relying solely on statements from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, who identified the accused at the police station after viewing their identity cards, was deemed unreliable by Magistrate Desai.
The court emphasized that such identification methods are prone to error and do not meet the stringent standards required for criminal convictions. Without corroboration from independent sources or proper procedural safeguards, the evidence presented was insufficient to sustain the charges of unlawful assembly and public nuisance.
Implications of the Acquittal
This acquittal underscores the importance of thorough and methodical investigations in legal proceedings. The court's decision serves as a reminder that procedural lapses can significantly impact the outcome of a case, even when allegations involve public disturbances at critical infrastructure like airports.
For the five accused, the verdict brings closure to a legal battle that lasted nearly two years, clearing their names of any criminal wrongdoing. The case also highlights the judicial system's role in scrutinizing investigative practices to ensure fairness and justice.
As Goa continues to handle high passenger traffic at its international airport, this ruling may prompt authorities to review and strengthen their protocols for handling similar incidents in the future, ensuring that investigations are robust and compliant with legal standards.
