Ribandar (Goa): Armed with court order on 48 hour prior notice in event of his arrest in sexual harassment case, Advocate Aires Rodrigues finally deposed before the Crime Branch (CB) today.

Investigating Officer, Police Inspector Dattaguru Sawant questioned him for nearly 45 minutes while postponing further interrogation for next week.

“He was quizzed for about 45 minutes. We have called him again next week,” said a senior officer.

His appearance came a day after the District & Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail application but directed the investigation agency to give 48 hours prior notice in the event of invoking non bailable section or his arrest. Adv Rodrigues had moved the court seeking anticipatory bail fearing arrest, after CB issued summons to him. The lawyer had earlier skipped at least five summonses citing different reasons such as demand to replace the Investigating Officer, seeking Court monitored investigation or not receiving the summons letters well in advance.

He is being investigated under sections 354 (A) (iv)(sexual harassment), 509 (words or gesture to insult modesty of a woman), 500 (punishment for defamation) of Indian Penal Code following complaint from a woman victim alleging that on November 4, 2017, Rodrigues had circulated on Facebook and Whatsapp an alleged video footage of Water Resources Minister Vinod Paliencar with her. She had accused him falsely implicating both herself and the minister in a sec scandal. Rodrigues has denied allegations asking to submit the proof to the CB.

Team TNV