Absence of police officials irks Justice Somasekhara

When M

elwyn Pinto, one of the main witnesses of the church attack incidents was being examined by Narayan Reddy, the advocate for police, he (Reddy) was seen finding it difficult to get necessary documents. The advocate told the Commission that he is not getting proper cooperation from the police.

When the Justice asked whether nobody had come from the police department, Reddy said there is one head constable and a woman constable, but he required other police officials. Expressing disappointment at this, Justice Somasekhara said the tendency of the police officials shows the functioning of the government.

“It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the interest of the public. Hence, everything should be transparent. How come government can deny information to the public?” he asked.

“I had been telling from the very beginning that top level police officials should take part in the sittings. If the situation of an advocate is like this, what would be the state of a common man?

If the works of the advocate are delayed, the entire process of inquiry will delay. If the SP is busy, let the DySP come. If nobody comes before 3 pm, a notice will be served,” he said. However, a police official arrived in the afternoon, and helped Narayan Reddy.

Witness faints during hearing

As Justice Somasekhara was expressing his displeasure over the government, the witness Melwyn Pinto sitting at the witness box fainted. There was a little tension for some time. The Justice asked assistants to call the doctor and ambulance. The advocates and police rushed for the help of the witness.

Pinto recovered in 15 minutes and told the Commission that he has been experiencing such problems after he was affected by the tear gas shells used by the police during the attack incidents.

Pinto again fainted when he was escorted by police during the lunch break. He was immediately taken to the hospital through an ambulance.