November 4, 2025

Panaji: A Mapusa court has fired the opening shot by ordering charges against Nigel Fonseca, one of three accused in the shocking 2023 damage to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj near IDC Karaswada. The court found strong signs that Fonseca was the culprit, but cleared the other two suspects, Alex Fernandes and Lawrence Mendes, due to no proof of their involvement. The fiery trio was accused of wrecking the statue and disturbing peace in the area. But the court's sharp eye spotted no evidence tying Fernandes or Mendes to the crime. "There was no material to suggest the two had any role in the crime," the court stated clearly. The case hinged on the eye-witness Chandan Kumar’s statement. He vividly described how all three men, known to him, were sitting under a big banyan tree, sipping liquor. Suddenly, they shouted abuses at him while he was praying before the statue. The shocking moment came when Kumar saw the first accused, Nigel Fonseca, hurl a stone at the statue, smashing it into pieces. Kumar emphasized that though all three were drinking, the mischief was masterminded solely by Fonseca: "It was the first accused who threw the stone at the statue, causing it to break." So while the dramatic night had three men and a statue going down, justice now points its finger firmly at Nigel Fonseca alone, with Fernandes and Mendes stepping away scot-free. The case highlights how a single act can stir strong emotions and legal battles over cherished symbols like Shivaji Maharaj’s statue.

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Tags: Nigel Fonseca, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue, Mapusa Court, Statue Damage, Public Sentiments, Goa,