PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has granted conditional bail to suspended Police Inspector Sunil Gudlar in a bribery case. Justice Valmiki Menezes set the bail bond at Rs 1 lakh, with one surety of the same amount, to be submitted before the Sessions Court in South Goa at Margao. The bail comes with several conditions.
Gudlar, who was arrested on April 21, was suspended after allegations emerged that he was involved in demanding a bribe from a meat trader in Belagavi. According to the complaint, suspended hawaldar Hussain allegedly demanded a Rs 2 lakh bribe to close a criminal case linked to the seizure of bovine meat. It was also claimed that the demand was made on behalf of PI Gudlar, who was posted at Konkan Railway Police Station, and the complainant was instructed to pay Rs 25,000 each month to continue his business without interference.
During the bail hearing, the Investigating Officer revealed that investigations had shown the accused was in contact with the complainant via a specific phone number, from which he made illegal demands for money. Audio recordings of these alleged bribe requests were presented as evidence under a formal panchanama. A trap was later set, and both policemen were caught demanding and accepting the bribe.
Advocate Galileo Teles, representing Gudlar, argued that his client is a permanent resident of St Cruz and is currently under suspension. He requested bail, stating that Gudlar has strong ties to Goan society and is unlikely to violate bail conditions. “Gudlar will fully cooperate with the investigation, including providing voice samples if required, as the bribery demand is said to have been recorded. He does not possess a passport and therefore cannot travel outside the country or flee from justice,” Teles said.
In granting bail, the HC noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with only the complainant’s statement left to be recorded. The Investigating Officer assured the Court that the statement would be taken within a week, and Gudlar’s voice samples would be collected for the investigation.
