Panaji (Goa):As Crime Branch (CB) is adamant to record statement of Advocate Aires Rodrigues in the sexual harassment case, the latter submitted a written communique requesting to re-schedule the date as he had to appear this afternoon at 4 pm in a Municipal Appeal before the Urban Development Minister. The CB had issued him summons to appear before it at 3pm today. 

Rodrigues has pointed out that on December 15 and 16 the matter relating to the same FIR is scheduled for hearing before the Sessions Court and the Panaji JMFC respectively.

Pointing out that on December 18, he has to appear for final arguments in two bail matters before the High Court, Adv Rodrigues has also requested  that if possible sufficient notice be given to him as he is a practicing advocate having to single handedly attend to matters before the various Courts and authorities across Goa.

He also drew the attention that he had not received any notice from the CB directing him to remain present on Dec 12 stating that the mode of dispatch and service report of the notice be furnished to him. 

On December 7, he had sought a copy of the FIR registered by the CB based on Anjuna Police Station FIR, which has till date not been furnished to him. The advocate has further stated that on December 8 when he appeared before the CB he had  requested that the “complainant (victim) be directed to produce the video footage that she has falsely claimed in her complaint was circulated by him on Facebook and Whatsapp and that if she is unable to furnish the video it would only prove that her complaint against him was false and fabricated.” 

Further stating that he has fully co-operated with the investigation right from November 30 when he was summoned by the Anjuna Police Station, he has also stated that it was imperative that by a free and fair investigation those behind this false and politically motivated complaint against him be exposed. 

Team TNV