The high-profile Mungul gang war case, stem-ming from a violent ambush and shootout on the Margao-Colva road in August last year, has been committed to the Ses-sions Court for trial.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Shubhada A Dalvi passed the order on Saturday after hear-ing arguments from both the prosecution and defence. In-voking powers under Section 232 of the BNSS 2023, the CJM directed that the proceedings be transferred to the Sessions Court. Under the order, all the accused released on bail have been instructed to appear be-fore the Sessions Court on Jan-uary 17, 2026. The jailor of the Central Jail, Colvale, has also been directed to produce the accused before the Sessions Judge at 10 am on the same date. It further directed that a copy of the order, along with the date and time of appearance, be commu-nicated to the Public Prosecutor concerned. Concerned authority to call for and forward all original remand papers and other documents in original to the Ses-sions Court on top priority bases, stated CIM in the order. Assistant Public Prosecutor S Fernandes represented the State, while advocates R Chari and B Miranda appeared for the accused.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The case dates back to August 12, 2025, when a group of nearly 28 individuals allegedly intercepted a car at Mun-gul and attacked two young men RafiqTashan (24) and Yuvkesh Singh Badaila (20) with swords, sticks, soda bottles and koytas. Two rounds of gunfire were reportedly discharged during the attack. Both victims sustained inju-ries, with Tashan requiring hospitalisation.
The Fatorda Police subsequently filed a comprehensive 624-page charge sheet detailing the alleged involvement of multiple individuals in the assault.
The matter has come under renewed scrutiny following concerns raised by the Session Court during bail proceed-ings.
Earlier, a Sessions Court had granted conditional bail to several accused, but flagged serious contradictions and gaps in the prosecution’s case, raising questions about the investigation’s thoroughness.
According to sources, these observations have prompted the Fatorda Police to revisit key evidence and re-examine witness statements in an effort to address the inconsist-encies highlighted by the court. Investigators are report-edly considering approaching the Sessions Court to seek additional time for further investigation to strengthen the State’s case.
A police official involved in the probe learnt to have con-tacted the public prosecutor to discuss the next steps fol-lowing the court’s comments.
The gang-related clash involving firearms and other deadly weapons had sparked widespread alarm among commuters and residents in the area. With several individ-uals booked in connection with the incident, the case has remained under close judicial and public attention due to its violent nature and implications for local law and order.
