From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Mar 13: Two Russian tourists are jailed without charge-sheet almost for a year now as state police have failed to forensically test the suspected substance seized from them.
Victor Koplenko and V Korovael, arrested in 2009 under narcotics and psychotropic substances act are imprisoned in central jail Aguada waiting for the prosecution, police sources stated.
Even the intervention of Consul General of Russian Federation in Mumbai asking state chief minister Digamber Kamat `to expedite the investigation’ has borne no fruits.
Koplenko was arrested on February 17, 2009 from a Pernem town (North Goa) while Korovael was reportedly found carrying drugs in the same district on May 06, 2009.
Both the cases were booked by anti narcotic cell.
“Up to now police have not provided us with the results of chemical analysis of the supposedly drugs possessed by them. Due to lack of scientific support or other reasons, police have been unable to conclude on these matters,” the consulate had written to chief minister in December last year.
Then superintendent of police (foreigners’ branch) Bosco George in the communication to Russian consulate on May 4, 2009 had stated that the suspected cocaine has been forwarded to labouratory for forensic examination.
Current superintendent of police (foreigners’ branch) Tony Fernandes said that he is yet to go through the communication by his predecessor. “We will inform the concern investigating authorities once we get the results,” he told today.
Koplenko alleging foul play had claimed to the consulate that three plain clothe Indian knocked at his door on the fateful day and when he opened the door they rushed into the apartment searched it and by force took away his passport, mobile, hundred dollars and medicine, which was stored in the refrigerator.
The accused in his submission before the consulate has contended that `intruders’ did not even produce any documents. He stated that he has a valid prescription from a dentist to justify purchase of the medicine.
Interestingly, the ANC records maintain that Koplenko was arrested for possessing 225 grams of Cocaine.
Similar second Russian, Korovael was arrested with 20 grams of banned MDM substance.
Said Vikram Varma, counsel for the Russian Federation,``there should be chemical analysis of the substances so that the fact is established.’’
“If they are innoncent than their human rights should not be violated,” he added.