Panaji mayor creek mishap: Court issues notice to police

A local court today issued notices to North Goa and Panaji Police to file their replies onJuly 1 in connection with a case pertaining to the city mayor falling into a creek here recently.
On June 26, a photo-op turned into a major embarrassment for city Mayor Surendra Furtado, landing him in murky waters literally, when a de-weeding machine he had climbed on along with other officials during a demonstration in a creek for media persons turned turtle due to overloading.
However, nobody was injured in the incident which occurred when the mayor took it upon himself to explain to journalists the use of the newly-introduced weeding machine to clean St Inez Creek, a water body running through the capital city.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues had filed a complaint in Panaji police station against the mayor for allegedly endangering human lives and damaging public property.
Alleging that police was shielding the mayor, Rodrigues today moved a petition under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code seeking court directions to the police to register an FIR againstFurtado and others for offences under sections 280, 287, 304 (A) read with 511 of the Indian Penal Code and section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984.
Rodrigues has also sought that the court monitor the investigation.
The activist, in his petition, said amajor man-made tragedy was averted on June 26 at the St Inez creek when Furtado and six others boarded the de-weeding machine though he was specifically instructed not to do so.

Judicial Magistrate Vijayalaxmi Shivolkar admitted the petition today and issued notices to North Goa Superintendent of Police and Inspector of Panaji police station to remain present before the court on July 1 with their replies.