BASTORA ASSAULT CASE
MAPUSA
A Mapusa court on Wednesday rejected the bail applications of three individuals arrested in connection with the brutal Bastora assault case involving a couple, including a pregnant woman, who were allegedly attacked by a mob of 15-20 people.
The arrested accused – Ranganath Shetye (55), Kaushal Shetye (32), and Vinod Shetkar (47), all residents of Pirozoni, Moira – were earlier remanded to five days in police custody.
Following the court’s latest order, the trio has now been sent to judicial custody.
The case, which has drawn widespread public condemnation, pertains to an attack that occurred late on the evening of June 3 at Bastora junction.
The victims, Vivek Shirodkar and his three-month pregnant wife, Shruti Shirodkar, who operate a shawarma van at the location, were allegedly assaulted by a mob, leaving both with serious injuries.
Raising concerns about the pace and quality of the police investigation, Advocate Vinayak Porob, representing the victim couple, stated that he will file an application before the court seeking judicial monitoring of the investigation.
“In spite of seven days of custody, if the police are still unable to extract details from the accused, something is clearly wrong,” Porob said, adding that he may also consider filing a writ petition in the High Court.
Meanwhile, anticipatory bail applications have been filed by three other individuals, including the alleged prime accused Tulshidas Shetye.
The court has scheduled the hearing on their bail pleas for June 13.
Mapusa Police have reportedly seized two vehicles believed to have been used during the attack.
The case continues to stir public anger, particularly due to the involvement of a pregnant woman among the victims and the brazen manner in which the attack was carried out.
