PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday granted conditional bail to Shripad alias Paresh Sinai Sawardekar, accused driver in the horrific Banastarim accident case, which claimed three lives and injured three others.
The Court said that the applicant be released on personal bail bond of Rs one lakh with one or more surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Additional Sessions Judge, Panjim sitting at Ponda. He has been asked to appear before the investigating officer for one week upon release from 10 am to 1 pm and thereafter as and when called upon and to cooperate in investigation. He has also been asked not to tamper with the evidence and not to leave the State without the permission of the trial Court. He has been asked to provide details of his passport to the investigating agency.
Arguing on behalf of Sawardekar, senior advocate Saresh Lotlikar submitted that the applicant is in custody for a substantial period of time and that presently he is in judicial custody. Further detention of the applicant is not necessary while, Section 304 (ii) of Indian Penal Code would not be attracted. He prayed that the bail be granted to the applicant on certain terms and conditions.
On instructions, Public Prosecutor Shailendra Bhobe told the Court that a major part of the investigation is concluded and further detention of the applicant is not necessary. However, the applicant may be directed to cooperate with the investigation by attending the investigating officer with other conditions including not to tamper with the evidence while on bail. He also told the Court that the investigation is now conducted by the Crime Branch.
Bhobe further stated that statements of eyewitnesses and other witnesses have been recorded and that the prosecution case proceeds on the basis that the applicant was driving the vehicle at the time of accident. Statements of the applicant’s wife Meghana and their children were recorded under Sections 161 and 164 of CrPC. Two injured persons are discharged from hospital and one is undergoing treatment, he said.
On Wednesday, the High Court had directed Mercedes SUV owner Meghana Sawardekar to deposit Rs two crore towards compensation to all the accident victims.
Paresh was arrested for rash and negligent driving under the influence of alcohol and causing an accident at Banastarim on August 6. After being remanded in police custody for eight days, Paresh was sent to 14 days judicial custody on August 15. The case has now been handed over to the Crime Branch following demand by the Divar villagers, who alleged a shoddy investigation by the Mardol Police.