THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Additional Sessions Judge, North Goa has denied bail to a man accused of setting his senior citizen aunt’s house on fire amid a bitter property dispute in Anjuna. The Court presided over by Judge Kshama Joshi observed that the accused had a history of misconduct and had misused his liberty when granted bail in other cases.
As per the probe by Anjuna police, the victim complainant had been subjected to continuous harassment by her nephew Karan Chodankar due to an ongoing enmity over the property. The accused had allegedly issued death threats and even warned her that he would set her house ablaze. Fearing for her life, she vacated the house, after which the accused allegedly burnt down the property and caused significant damage.
During the hearing of the bail application filed by Chodankar, the State argued that the accused’s past criminal record and ongoing trials made him a threat to the complainant. The prosecution maintained that releasing him could result in further intimidation.
“There are also other cases against the accused which are pending trial. Hence if the accused is released on bail there is every possibility of the accused threatening the complainant who is a senior citizen and causing serious offence,” the prosecution argued, urging the court to dismiss the plea.
The defense, however, countered that the accused had not been convicted in any prior cases and that mere pending trials should not be grounds for rejecting bail.
Seeking bail, the counsel further stated that the accused had been in custody since November 17, 2024 with the investigation complete and the chargesheet filed.
The Court observed that the complainant had been forced to leave her own home and reside in rented premises out of fear while also stressing the seriousness of the accused’s actions.
“There is every possibility of the accused putting his threat to kill her in action; in case of his release on bail as the punishment of the offense is life imprisonment. The accused may threaten the complainant to depose in the matter so that the trial would get hampered. There is also rivalry amongst the complainant and accused due to property dispute,” it said while dismissing the plea adding the accused misused bail privileges.
