Narvekar gets a respite

Sandesh Prabhudesai

Goa Cricket Association president and former Goa deputy Chief Minister Dayanand Narvekar got a respite for the third consecutive day despite his anticipatory bail application being rejected by the Sessions and District court on Friday, in the case of bogus tickets for the final One-Day International between India and Australia, in Goa, on April 6.

While the Sessions court had granted him relief to approach the High Court by Monday evening, hearing on the petition, which is being taken up along with that of GCA secretary Vinod Phadke, could not be completed on Monday.

The High Court, while extending the relief till Tuesday, however, directed both Narvekar and Phadke to remain present at the Margao police station for interrogation, and also in the court for the hearing on Tuesday evening.

Adhik Shirodkar, who flew down from Bombay to argue on behalf of Narvekar, contended that his client is being harassed with a sole intention of tarnishing and maligning his image. "Neither has his home been raided nor have his accounts been frozen till date, because he is innocent," he argued.

He claimed that Narvekar is being unnecessarily held responsible despite GCA treasurer Rama Shankardas admitting his role in printing the bogus tickets for the match.

Margao District and Sessions judge Nelson Britto while rejecting the bail applications said since Narvekar is a leading politician and the secretary is his lieutenant, no successful investigation can be carried out without interrogating them in custody.

"Considering the status of both the accused, their interrogation in custody is compulsory. The accused are bound to tamper with the evidence, if released on bail," he stated in his order.

Making mention of Government counsel Avinash Lawande's statement that India lost the match and Goa lost its credibility in the final ODI, Britto hoped that the police would now at least maintain and prove its credibility in investigating the case thoroughly.

B L Maneshinde, while arguing for GCA secretary Phadke, said: "If India had won the match, the controversy would have not arisen."

Meanwhile, former GCA treasurer Shankardas and ticket contractor Chinmay Fallari's remand to police custody was extended, while the other three accused, including Narvekar's brother-in-law Eknath Naik, who was alleged to have sold some of the bogus tickets, have been released.

You can also read:
Narvekar's bail plea rejected
GCA president orchestrated ticket scam, say police