Congress, AAP demand judicial probe into missing body of Goa footballer
Panaji, Oct 1 : The Congress and AAP on Monday demanded a judicial probe into the mysterious disappearance of the mortal remains of a 24-year-old footballer from the mortuary of Goa's biggest government hospital.
The demand comes on a day when Director General of Police (DGP) Muktesh Chander directed the Crime Branch to take over the investigation of the shocking case, over which Health Minister Vishwajit Rane's resignation is being demanded by the opposition.
"A retired High Court judge should be investigating the case and not Goa Police. At the least it is criminal negligence of the highest order. We want Rane to resign," Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar told a press conference.
Aam Aadmi Party's Goa convenor Elvis Gomes said that "no amount of damage control will restore confidence in what the government is doing.
"Only an enquiry by a judge, whether sitting or retired, will be able to get to the root of the matter," he said.
Earlier, Goa DGP Chander ordered the transfer of the case to the Crime Branch following a formal request by Rane.
"Considering the gravity of the offence and to ensure a thorough and more professional investigation, the case stands transferred to Crime Branch with immediate effect," the top cop's order reads.
Three officials attached to the Goa Medical College near Panaji were suspended by the Health Ministry on Saturday after the body of Januz Gonsalves, a resident of Aldona village, went missing.
An internal probe by the Health Ministry revealed that the body was reportedly switched and cremated along with unclaimed cadavers which are routinely disposed of by hospital authorities.
The incident came to light after the family turned up at the morgue on Saturday to claim the remains.
Rane has already issued a public apology for the goof-up even as the Congress has demanded his resignation.
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Will vacate one of two assembly seats won in 10 days: BJP''s Suvendu
Kolkata (PTI): BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for three times in a row in the recent assembly polls, said on Wednesday that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.
Adhikari also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.
"I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, puncturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge and delivering a decisive psychological blow to the TMC, amid a sweeping BJP surge across West Bengal.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, the BJP leader appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.
"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, after taking permission," he told party workers.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.
Referring to alleged attacks on BJP workers during the TMC regime, Adhikari said he would not forget the “atrocities" faced by them and assured them of taking appropriate action against perpetrators through legal processes.
"I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’ (change), and now I am part of the real change. I offer my gratitude to the people of Nandigram," Adhikari said.
He was referring to the TMC's victory in 2011 when the Mamata Banerjee party dismantled the 34-year Left Front regime in the state.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and remembered the BJP workers, who had died in political violence.
"We will work in such a way that the BJP government in Bengal stays for 100 years," he said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share in the state would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
The BJP leader also assured residents of Nandigram of improved drinking water supply and better hospital and education infrastructure.
