Age factor may haunt Casino (Herald)

Age factor may haunt Casino July 16, 2013 19-year-old’s entry under question, probe on; student’s body found TEAM HERALD PANJIM: The body of 19-year-old student from Hyderabad, who tragically fell off an off-shore casino ~ Casino Carnival ~ early on Sunday, was found floating in the Mandovi near a city-based resort at Miramar Monday. While the police have registered an FIR against casino officials, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the police to get to the bottom of the matter, even as the Captain of Ports has begun an investigation. The Home Department said that it is waiting for the Police report to decide on further action, if required, given that the deceased engineering student was 19 years according to the police. The government is said to have sent a circular to off-shore casinos not to allow those under 21 years to enter gaming areas, as well as not to serve them liquor. “The body was fished out and shifted to Goa Medical College. The family identified him,” Inspector Navlesh Desai said. A post mortem, conducted later in the evening confirmed cause of death due to ‘drowning.’ Panjim police were informed about a body floating in the waters Monday morning and it was later identified as Sai Dhanush Reddy (19) based on personal identification made by his family. Based on the FIR, the police have begun investigations against casino captain MS Fernandes, Manager Spancar Cuuilidoll, Security In charge and Management of the Casino Carnival for endangering human life and failing to provide safety and rescue measures. The Captain of Ports too has begun investigations into the tragedy, Captain James Braganza told Herald. “We have sought CCTV footage since the time the Hyderabad students entered the casino till the occurrence of the incident. We are collecting evidence… arrests (if necessary to be made) will be decided later,” Desai told Herald. Sai had fallen off the second deck of the vessel at about 3:20 am Sunday while his brother Shivachaitanya and two of his friends Senthil Ramkrishna Raj and Saish Shanamukha Balkrishna were in the restaurant section some distance away. The incident has raised a serious question whether Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976 is being followed of flouted. According to the recent Cabinet approved amendments to this Act, a circular of which was issued to all the casinos, restricting the gaming areas to Goans and youth under the age of 21 years. “Whoever contravenes the provisions of this Act, including conducting games at areas or places other than the designated places or areas, or otherwise acts in contravention of any order issued under this Act, shall be liable for imprisonment of six months and or fine of not less than Rs 10 lakh and which may extend up to Rs 20 lakh and for confiscation of the vessel/premises," the Act states. In the present case, the victim and three other youngsters were all under the age of 21. The teens all hailing from Hyderabad had toured north Goa before going to the casino at about 7:30 pm. In a complaint made to the police station, Shivachaitanya alleged the off-shore casino had no safety measures in place which resulted in the fatal incident. Parrikar, meanwhile said the Police have booked a case. Whoever is responsible will be chargesheeted... the gambling amendment Act, the rules will be enforced by August end. National Students Union of India (Goa Unit) also condemned the incident. “Casinos are doing nothing but causing harm to our society. When is this going to end? There has to be some stop to it. Our Government needs to put our social safety before money and revenue,” President Hasiba Amin told a press conference. Sanjiv Gadkar, Additional Secretary Home told Herald that the government would wait for the police report and then decide under the provisions of the law what action to be followed. John Snowball, former member of the association formed by Casino managements said “I am not sure how the casino can be held responsible for negligence... a serious investigation has to be made. AAAAG said the drowning incident has proved the fears expressed by them all along. That youth will be drawn into gambling is proved. The youth was a Class XII student who could enter a casino, easily proves that there are no mechanisms in place to check who enters the casinos. Whoever is responsible will be chargesheeted... the gambling amendment Act rules will be enforced by August-end— Manohar Parrikar I am not sure how the casino can be held responsible for negligence... a serious investigation has to be made. — John Snowball http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/Age-factor-may-haunt-Casino/76979.html