CB opposes release citing public order concerns
Advocate Amey Prabhudessai, appearing for Khattar, said arguments from both sides have been completed after the defence filed the bail plea and the police submitted their reply.
VASCO
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court in Vasco has reserved its order on the bail application of Gautam Khattar. The verdict will be announced on Saturday at 10 am.
The court will also decide whether to extend his remand, which ends on May 2.
Advocate Amey Prabhudessai, appearing for Khattar, said arguments from both sides have been completed after the defence filed the bail plea and the police submitted their reply.
He argued that further police custody is not required, as the alleged offence has already been recorded on video.
Prabhudessai said the police have taken Khattar’s voice samples and sent them to forensic experts in Pune for analysis. He added that the case mainly depends on whether the statements were made by Khattar and whether this can be proven.
“In such cases, where the material is already recorded, there is little reason to keep the accused in custody. The forensic report will confirm whether the voice matches,” he said.
He also argued that custodial interrogation would not serve any useful purpose and that keeping the accused in custody is unnecessary.
The Crime Branch opposed the bail plea, saying Khattar’s release at this stage could affect public order and communal harmony.
The prosecution said the voice analysis report is still awaited and claimed that the speech attributed to Khattar was made with deliberate intent to disturb peace in Goa.
The court is expected to deliver its order on both the bail plea and the remand extension on Saturday morning.
Khattar, who is currently in police custody after being arrested in Kullu district, was admitted to the North Goa District Hospital (Asilo), Mapusa, on Wednesday after complaining of high blood pressure and chest pain.
Police said he has now been shifted to GMC hospital in Bambolim for further examination and is under observation.
