In a significant development in the high-profile Mungul gang war case, the Additional Sessions Judge–II, Margao, Ram Subrai Prabhu Dessai, on Monday granted conditional bail to 11 additional accused linked to a violent ambush and shootout on the Margao–Colva road in August 2025. As per the court order, each accused has been directed to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount.
The court imposed stringent conditions, including man datory cooperation with the investigation, a prohibition on tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses and restrictions on travel outside Goa or the country without prior court permission. Accused persons holding passports have been ordered to deposit them with the court. The court further directed the accused not to commit any offence similar to the one alleged, to refrain from threat ening victims or witnesses and to avoid misuse of social media in any manner that could impact the case. They have also been instructed to submit identity and address proof along with valid contact details, and to ensure their mobile phones remain operational at all times. The 11 accused granted bail are RasulShaik, Mohamed Tahir Khan, Wilson Carvalho, MallikShaik, MandarPrab hu, SurajBorker, OmprakashMeghwal, Prakash Karbar, SurajMaji, ShahrukhShaik, and Imran Bepari. Advocates L Almeida, Kevin Viegas, Sagar Gaonker and R Chari ap peared on behalf of the accused, while Public Prosecutor J Thakkar represented the State. The case stems from an armed ambush that occurred on August 12, 2025, at Mungul on the Margao–Colva road, where nearly 28 persons allegedly intercepted a car and launched a coordinated attack on two youths using swords, sticks, soda bottles and koytas. During the assault, at least two rounds of gunfire were reportedly fired, escalating public alarm. The victims, identified as RafiqTashan (24) and Yuvkesh Singh Badaila (20), sustained injuries in the attack. Tashan required hospitalisation, while Badaila was treated on an outpatient basis. Police investigations indicated that the assault was pre planned and rooted in an ongoing gang rivalry, involving several individuals with criminal antecedents. The incident triggered widespread outrage and sharp political reactions across the State. Fatorda Police subsequently filed a voluminous 682 page chargesheet naming 28 accused, invoking multiple provisions of the BharatiyaNyayaSanhita (BNS), 2023, along with sections of the Arms Act, 1959. Forensic Science Laboratory experts recovered shattered glass, blood sam ples, an empty cartridge, and a live round from the scene, all of which were sent for forensic analysis. During the bail hearing, advocate L Almeida, appearing for the accused, argued that the prosecution’s case suf fered from serious contradictions, particularly in the initial statements of the complainant and injured victims regard ing the identification of assailants. He contended that there was no clear prima facie evidence linking the accused to the crime, warranting their continued incarceration. Opposing the plea, Public Prosecutor J Thakkar submit ted that any alleged lapses in the Test Identification Parade could only be examined during trial. He argued that the gravity of the offence, coupled with the criminal anteced ents of several accused, justified continued custody. However, while granting bail, the court observed that the precise role attributed to the accused was doubtful and that prima facie grounds establishing their involvement were lacking. The judge noted that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate a real risk of absconding or witness tampering, particularly since the chargesheet had already been filed. “The accused cannot be kept in custody on vague allega tions,” the court observed, noting further that several ac cused had no criminal antecedents and had already spent nearly four months in judicial custody. Earlier, on December 16, the same court had granted conditional bail to 13 other accused in the case, including Prakash Velma, Rajesh Velma, GaurangKorgaonkar, Badsha Shaikh, Sunil Bilawar, Joyston Fernandes, Mohammed Ali, Vassu Kumar, Amar Kalal, Vally D’Costa, AvnieshGunjikar, DhanjayTalwar, and AkshayTalwar. With Monday’s order granting bail to 11 more accused on similar terms, a total of 25 accused have now been re leased on bail, even as the case continues to await trial.
