PANAJI
In a setback to Goa Police, its own personnel implicated in assaulting a fast food stall owner at Marcel, managed to get bail within hours of their arrest on Tuesday. Suspended head constable Samir Fadte, Mitesh Gad (Indian Reserve Battalion), Mohit Gad, Vivek Desai, Yatiraj Narayan Kamat, Asmit Salunke and Supresh Savardekar were arrested by the Mardol police for the offense while Akash Navelkar (Anti-Narcotics Cell) also faces an FIR.
However, hours after the seven accused were arrested, the JMFC ‘C’ Court granted them conditional bail.
Contradicting the CCTV footage, the applicants claimed innocence during the hearing, stating they were “not involved in the crime and are falsely implicated”.
The applicants also claimed they have no criminal record even as Fadte allegedly has a series of complaints against him.
“...Applicant is not involved in the crime. The applicant is ready and willing to appear to answer the charge when called by the Court and the accused will abide by the conditions imposed by this Court,” reads the application of one of the accused, urging the Court to release him.
While the Mardol police challenged the bail stating that the probe is at a preliminary stage with interrogation pending, the Investigation Officer also cited the arrested persons’ possible interference in the case by threatening the witnesses.
While pointing out that Mardol police had no other justification to seek police custody, the JMFC granted the accused bail. “In so far as interrogation and further investigation is concerned, the same can be taken care of by imposing stringent conditions on the applicant. No other justification has been provided by the Respondent (police) as to why the applicant is required in police custody,” the JMFC observed.
Granting them bail with a list of conditions to abide by, the Court directed the accused to appear before the Mardol police station for seven days starting January 31 and whenever called by the IO in the case.
