PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed Israeli national Yaniv Benaim, alias Atala, to surrender before the trial court by September 16, while fixing September 21 for hearing his challenge to the rejection of his latest bail plea. Atala has been absconding after the North Goa Special NDPS Court rejected his fresh bail application in a 2025 drug case and issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him.
The High Court issued the direction while hearing Atala’s petition challenging the trial court’s decision to deny him bail. The matter has now been posted for hearing on September 21.
Last month, the Principal District and Sessions Judge, North Goa, rejected Atala’s fresh bail plea, taking note of his absence from the proceedings. The court subsequently directed that an NBW be issued against him.
Earlier, in its July 14 judgment, the High Court had set aside an order of the Sessions Court granting bail to Atala in a case registered by the Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC).
Atala was arrested by the ANC in April 2025 following a raid at his apartment in Siolim. The ANC claimed to have recovered narcotic substances and Rs 8.7 lakh in cash from the premises.
