The North Goa Additional Sessions Court has dismissed the bail application of Vikas Yadav, the prime accused in the 2024 murder of Rehbar Khan.
The court held that Yadav was the “mastermind” who formed the unlawful assembly after which Khan was assaulted and killed. Judge Kshama Joshi, in the order, also noted that there was every possibility of him threatening eyewitnesses and hampering the trial.
“The accused no. 1 (Yadav) is the mastermind for forming the unlawful assembly with the common object... it is clear that accused no. 1 informed accused no. 2 and others and thereafter they all assaulted the deceased and killed him. Hence accused no. 1 is the main person in forming the unlawful assembly with common object,” the order stated while rejecting his plea.
The court also accepted the Public Prosecutor’s submission that there was every possibility Yadav would interfere with eyewitnesses if released on bail.
This was Yadav’s third attempt for bail. The court further observed that there was no change in circumstances since his earlier bail pleas were rejected, and pointed to witness statements and recoveries made at his instance to establish his role in the case.
As per case details, Yadav and his accomplices, allegedly kidnapped Khan - working at a salon in Porvorim - wrongfully confined him, and assaulted him at different locations in Goa. They robbed his mobile phone and threw him on the road at Pilerne to destroy evidence. Khan succumbed to his injuries.
