Judge also dismisses accused's claims of ill health
PANAJI
The Additional Sessions Judge, North Goa has rejected the bail application of accused Rovina Pereira Lobo, in a sensational double murder case of Martha and Vera Lobo, citing the serious nature of the crime and her prima facie involvement as established through eyewitness accounts.
Rovina, who has been in custody since November 16, 2020, sought bail citing prolonged incarceration, alleged discrepancies in eyewitness accounts, and her status as a woman entitled to special consideration under Section 437 of the CrPC. The High Court of Bombay at Goa had earlier granted her liberty to file for bail afresh if the trial failed to make substantial progress.
However, Judge Sharmila Patil dismissed the plea citing several factors including testimony of two eyewitnesses who directly implicated the accused in the brutal assault using koitas. Both witnesses described how Rovina and co-accused Subhan Rajab Ali allegedly attacked the victims at Igreza Wada, Marna-Siolim on the night of November 15, 2020, and fled from the crime scene. The order also rejected claims of ill health submitted by Rovina’s legal counsel, stating that a medical report confirmed that Rovina was of sound mental capacity.
“It is an admitted fact that when a surprise inspection was conducted in Central Jail Colvale a mobile was found in possession of Rovina by way of which one Vikat Bhagat had given threats on her behalf. Her medical report shows that her IQ is 100% and she has adequate intelligence and therefore there is no question of ill-mental health as argued by her advocate,” the Court observed while accepting the submission by the prosecution that the complainant had received threats from the jail.
Rejecting the argument that delays in the trial should favour the accused, the Court remarked that the adjournments were largely sought by her own counsel and not due to any inaction on the part of the prosecution.
“The fact that offence is grave in nature and prima facie considering evidence of the eyewitnesses I do not find any reason to enlarge accused no 1 (Rovina) on bail. Hence bail application stands rejected,” reads the order.
