The Special Court at Merces on Saturday rejected the bail plea of history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo in the case related to the assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar at Caranzalem on September 18. Zenito, arrested on September 22, faces charges under Sections 126(2), 109, and 351(3) read with 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
His bail plea argued innocence, claiming that he was falsely implicated and that his continued custody was unnecessary as the investigation was complete. However, the prosecution, led by Panjim DySP Sudesh Naik, opposed the plea, asserting that the offence was serious, caused public fear, and involved organised criminal activity. He further cautioned that granting bail could lead to witness intimidation or tampering with evidence.
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Judge Irshad Agha, while rejecting the application, observed that several co-accused had confessed to the crime and named Zenito, noting the risk of them retracting statements if he were released. Victim Kankonkar, through his lawyer, also opposed bail, citing Zenito’s violent criminal past and prior convictions.
Meanwhile, all eight accused in the case will remain in custody, with the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Merces extending their judicial remand till October 31 to facilitate the ongoing investigation.
