198 Hearings of Danielle McLaughlin trial so far: Some light in the tunnel, but end not visible.

It is still not clear, whether the accused Vikat Bhagat was assaulted by Goa Police; or he has lied before the Hon'ble Court and thus committed perjury?

Front Page report on trial in todays edition of Herald Goa.

On Wednesday, 7th June 2023 (last Wednesday) the 197th Hearing of the Danielle McLaughlin Rape & Murder trial took place.

The important news is to note is that the Public Prosecutor has changed and now we have a Lady prosecutor leading the State, Ms.Shilpa Nagvenkar. Also, accused was produced for the second consecutive time in recent hearings to the court from Colvale Jail (most probably because of the medical examination directed by Hon’ble Court).

Accused Vikat Bhagat took all the liberties, with the judicial system, even after committing a heinous crime; as the prosecution leading the state earlier, was very weak and this publication has been critical of the way,the largess to accused was almost "allowed" by prosecution.

The earlier state Prosecutor Mr.S Samant seems to have never contested the flimsy excuses of accused Vikat Bhagat; nor for the fact that, accused could not be produced in the court for straight 10 hearings. How could this be even possible, in such a trial?

At every hearing, a letter was issued to the Jailor of Colvale Central Jail by Hon'ble Court and accused was not produced, with utter disregard t the judicial authority. It was then the moment, that State lead by then PP Mr.S Samant should have vehemently opposed the mockery of the hon'ble court which the Defence and Accused had made out, so far.

But no, it was not then. It raises several questions, on the way trial was taking forward under previous prosecutor, and why it was allowed to languish for such a long period of time, to much of anguish of Victim and Victim's family.

While as per the information available on the Court's website; we have a new Lady Judge; but after the change over, Ms. Pooja Kavlekar was holding fort; and now for past couple of hearings; a different Lady Judge Ms.Shabnam S Shaikh is the judge. This could be purely due to administrative reasons; as because of summer vacations; a few Judge go on leave for a while. For a while, we would have to wait and see, who is the new permanent Lady Judge, who would bring justice to Danielle McLaughlin.

As reported earlier, accused Vikat Bhagat alleged that Prison Officials assaulted the accused.The Hon'ble court issue letter to Inspector General Prison, Goa Police; informing of the assault. The court also directed the Jail Suprintendent to take the accused for medical examination and to produce the reports on 12th June 2023 to the court in his own presence.

197th Haring of Danielle’s Trial, conducted on 7th June 2023

While yesterday,on the 198th hearing of the trial; the medical reports of the accused were produced by jail Suprintendent; the nature of the injuries (if any) to the accused is not clear.

Also not clear is the fact from the Court's website, whether the accused allegation of assault by Prison Official is true or not.

198th hearing of Danielle’s trial, conducted yesterday on 12th June 2023.

If the alleged assault is true; then this is a very grave allegation against Goa Police; if not, then accused has lied to the court and tries to mislead the trial.

The thing to note is that accused's lawyer, Mr.C Franco was not present in yesterdays hearing. If his client would have been indeed assaulted by Prison Officials of Colvale Central Jail; he would have been present, going all hammer-and-tong against Goa Police; and advocating for the protection of human-rights of the accused.Since, he was not present yesterday; in spite of the accused being produced from the Prison; it can be safely assumed that, accused has lied before the Hon'ble Court and made a false allegation against Goa Police.But, correlation could not be causation.

The next hearing of the trial is scheduled for 19th June 2023, at 1430 hrs.It is good to hope that details of the alleged assault on the accused would emerge, so that Goa Police can clear its name.

Fast-tracking of the trial is still something which has been found lacking; but with new prosecution and new Judge, it is hoped that, we could see progress on that end.