The Additional Sessions Court in Margao has granted bail to thirteen individuals accused in a case of gang-related assault that occurred in Mungul, Colva, in August of this year. The court ordered their release upon executing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each along with two sureties of the like amount.
Details of the Bail Order and Accused
The bail was granted to the following accused persons: Prakash Velma, Rajesh Velma, Gaurang Korgaonkar, Bhasha Shaikh, Sunil Bilawar, Joystin Fernandes, Mohammed Ali, Vassu Kumar, Amar Kulal, Vally D’Costa, Avinash Amrut Gunjikar, Dhananjay Pundalik Tallwar, and Akshay Pundalik Talwar. They were among a larger group of 26 individuals initially named in the First Information Report (FIR).
The Incident: A Case of Mistaken Identity
The case originates from a complaint filed by 19-year-old Yuvkesh Singh, a resident of Margao. Singh alleged that on the night of the incident, he and his friend, Rafiq Tasgaonkar, were traveling from Colva to Margao when their vehicle was intercepted near the Shagun Restaurant in Mungul.
According to the complaint, a large group of assailants, acting under a pre-arranged plan and with common intention, attacked them. However, the investigation revealed a shocking twist: the intended target of the assault was reportedly a man named Walter Fernandes. The accused allegedly mistook Singh and Tasgaonkar for their intended victim or his associates, leading to the wrongful attack.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The grant of bail is a procedural step in the ongoing legal process and does not signify the conclusion of the case. The accused are required to comply with the conditions set by the court, which typically include cooperating with the investigation, not tampering with evidence, and not intimidating witnesses.
The police investigation into the Mungul gang-rivalry assault case is expected to continue, with charges likely to be framed based on the evidence collected. The case has highlighted concerns regarding gang rivalries and public safety in the area.
