MARGAO
The Children’s Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to the principal of Margao-based Loyola High School Fr Basil Vago with the court saying the applicant is entitled for anticipatory bail with appropriate conditions when there is no apprehension of the applicant absconding.
In the event of his arrest, the court ordered the release of the applicant on furnishing a personal bail bond of Rs 25,000 and one surety to the satisfaction of the investigating officer.
The applicant was directed to report to the police station for 15 days from February 8 between 2 pm to 5 pm and was further directed not to leave the state/country without the permission of the court.
He was further directed not to influence or contact or induce or threaten the witnesses in any manner and shall not interfere with the victim boy and his classmates in any manner.
“In so far as the presence of the applicant for investigation purpose is concerned, it cannot be the ground to claim custodial presence,” Children’s Court Judge Vandana Tendulkar stated in her order.
The court said the final medical certificate date January 31 reveals no evidence of any injuries clinically or on CT scan.
“Thus, the medical evidence prima facie does not support the contention of the victim boy. Further, despite opportunity and time given to the police to record the statements of classmates of the victim boy, no such statements are seen recorded. Even the statement of teacher Shradha or any other teacher from the school is not on record to confirm the facts stated by the victim boy prima facie,” the court said.
Parents of the victim boy, aged 13 years, had alleged in the police complaint that the principal had assaulted their ward on January 27 after the class teacher had sent him out of the class.
