MARGAO
The South Goa Sessions court has rejected the bail applications of Ayub Syed and Anil Kumar in a case of attempt to murder Telaulim-Navelim lad. Additional Session Judge Vincent D’Silva said there exists prima facie reasonable grounds for believing that the applicants have been guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for life
In separate orders, the Judge said “needless to mention, at the stage of considering the bail application, the Court is not at all required to find out as to whether the evidence is sufficient to infer guilt of the applicant or not. It is enough if sufficient grounds are shown to connect the applicant with the offence as at that time elaborate documentation of the merits of the case has not to be undertaken.
Prima facie, there exists reasonable grounds for believing that the applicant has been guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for life. The application for bail moved by the applicant therefore cannot be allowed”.
The Judge further added: “Needless to mention, there were more witnesses present at the spot as seen on CCTV footage whose statements are yet to be recorded as the said persons are yet to be traced for recording thestatements. There are also chances that the witnesses who are seen on the CCTV footage will not come forward to give their statements, if the applicant and his associate are released on bail. The investigation is at the preliminary stage and the possibility of witnesses being intimidated cannot be ignored. The incident had caused a public outcry in the locality and surrounding villages on account of deadly weapons used by the applicant and his associate on unsuspecting victim”.
The judge did not accept the contention of the lawyer who appeared for the applicants, observing that allegation of tampering of evidence and intimidating the witnesses cannot be a ground to deny.
