Hence, the government should instruct the prosecution department to drop hundreds of cases booked under the particular section, including the one against Rane.

Interestingly, Haukhum's terse noting indicates that the bureaucracy was a divided house while arriving at the decision.

'Instead of favouring the home department of his considered opinion, he (law secretary) has opined that the advocate general's opinion in any matter is final. Not commenting on the law secretary's opinion, it is placed on record that the law secretary has not offered his views in the matter, leaving the whole matter unanswered,' Haukhum said, sending the file for further approval to the home minister and the chief minister.

Incidentally, Rane, nicknamed 'the prince' in Goa's political circles, is the son of Goa legislative assembly Speaker Pratapsing Rane, who has also served as chief minister for nearly two decades.

Aires Rodrigues, the lawyer who was threatened, had filed the RTI.