PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has set aside the order of the North Goa District and Sessions Court granting bail to Israeli national Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, while allowing him to remain on bail until his fresh bail application is decided.
A Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Hiten Venegavkar passed the order while hearing the State’s application seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Atala by the trial court on August 20, 2025.
The Bench observed that, in view of its earlier order dated June 22, 2026, the findings recorded by the trial court in its August 20, 2025 order could not be upheld. It, therefore, quashed the bail order and sent the matter back to the Sessions Court for fresh consideration as per law.
“Since Atala is already on bail till date, his liberty may not be curtailed and his liberty is extended. The applicant shall appear before the trial court and file a fresh bail application. The Sessions Court should decide the application within one month,” the High Court directed.
The Bench further ordered that the August 20, 2025 bail order would remain in force until the Sessions Court decides the fresh bail plea.
During the hearing, the State argued that the trial court had wrongly granted bail to a foreign national without giving sufficient reasons or imposing suitable conditions. The prosecution sought cancellation of the bail, stating that the order lacked proper reasoning.
After hearing both sides and examining the material on record, the High Court held that the trial court’s order required reconsideration and remanded the matter for a fresh decision.
Atala will not be arrested until the Sessions Court decides his fresh bail application. However, if the bail plea is rejected, he will have to surrender before the competent court. The High Court has directed the Sessions Court to dispose of the application within one month.
In its application filed in October 2025, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) had expressed apprehension that Atala could indulge in further criminal activities, while also referring to ongoing investigations and trials against him in connection with several serious offences registered in Goa.
Atala was arrested in April 2025 after the ANC raided his flat at Siolim and seized narcotics worth around
Rs 8.7 lakh.
