Clean criminal background and medical grounds gave the accused an upper edge
PANAJI
The Additional Sessions Judge Cholu Gauns has granted anticipatory bail to Meghana Kamat Sawardekar in connection with the fatal accident at Banastarim on August 6. Meghana is the owner of the Mercedes car GA-07-K-7311, which was allegedly driven by her husband Paresh killing three persons and injuring others.
With a sustained campaign by the locals suspecting she was driving the SUV and demanding her arrest, Meghana had approached the court seeking relief.
In his order on Friday, Additional Sessions Judge Cholu Gauns granted her anticipatory bail based on her medical conditions and that she does not have a criminal record.
“There is nothing on record to show that applicant has a past criminal record or that she has any conviction to her credit rendered by Court or of having previously undergone imprisonment for a term in respect of any cognizable offence,” it said adding, “The applicant has undergone craniotomy and subtotal excision of Meningioma (brain surgery for tumour) at GMC on May 28, 2020 followed by proton therapy for over a year. To substantiate sickness, she has produced medical papers from Department of Radiology including discharge card. Above facts are not disputed by respondents (Mardol Police).”
The Court also accepted her oath that ‘she is innocent,’ law-abiding citizen and has no criminal antecedents.
“I have no reason to doubt the applicant’s statement which is confirmed on Oath by filing her affidavit. I hold that applicant has a clean past criminal antecedent,” the order copy stated.
Among a set of conditions, she is directed to not tamper with evidence, not influence witnesses, cooperate with the investigation, and should not leave India without Court permission.
Meghana was granted ad-interim anticipatory bail earlier.
