Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent
 
Panaji, Jan 6: Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday appeared before JMFC, Panaji Edgar Fernandes, in the case involving an alleged threat to kill "Utt Goenkara" spokesman advocate Aires Rodrigues.

The minister was released on a surety and personal bond of Rs 10,000 each. Satyendra Naik of Margao stood surety for the Health Minister.

North Goa Sessions Judge U V Bakre dismissing the criminal appeal filed by Vishwajit Rane had directed the health minister to appear before the JMFC, Panaji Edgar Fernandes on January 11 at 10 am  to answer charges under sec 506 (II) of Indian Penal Code on a criminal case filed by "Utt Goenkara" spokesman advocate Aires Rodrigues.

The health minister however appeared before the JMFC on Saturday stating that he would not be able to appear on January 11 as he would have to attend the assembly session, though the session commences only at 2.30pm. The JMFC granting the health minister exemption for the next hearing adjourned the matter to January 11 at 10 am for further hearing.

In his 11-page judgment sessions judge  Bakre had stated that there  was sufficient ground for proceeding against Rane under section 506 (ii) of Indian Penal Code as there was  prima facie evidence against him.

It may be recalled that advocate  Aires Rodrigues had filed a complaint with the Old Goa Police on July 31 last year that while he was at his Ribandar office he received a call on his mobile from Vishwajit Rane and that he had said "This is Vishwajit Rane. Be careful. I will get you shot".

In his private criminal complaint to the JMFC, advocate Aires Rodrigues had stated that the Old Goa Police under political pressure had dragged their feet in the investigation and had registered the FIR against the Health Minister only 22 days after the complaint.

Rane had initially stated that he did not even know advocate Aires Rodrigues and had denied having made the call. Later, during interrogation, Rane made a volte face and confessed to the Old Goa Police to having called Aires Rodrigues from his wife Divya Rane's mobile on July 31 at 8.11 am.

The health minister however was not able to explain to the police as to why he did not use his own mobile and chose to call Adv. Aires Rodrigues from his wife Divya Rane's mobile.

Divya Rane in her statement to the Old Goa Police has stated that her mobile phone was in the possession of her husband Vishwajit Rane and that she did not know details of calls made from her mobile.