A two-wheeler rider, identified as Kitu Behera (51), lost his life early Tuesday when struck by an SUV. The accused SUV driver, Naresh Jain, currently in judicial custody until January 30, 2024, had his bail application presented before the District Judge in Mapusa on Thursday. The prosecution, led by Ralston Barreto, argued against bail, citing section 304 and the accused’s awareness of driving under the influence, supported by a provisional certificate in the case papers. The defence, represented by Adv Michael Nazareth, presented their case, leading the Judge to schedule further arguments for January 23, 2024, with a directive to submit alcohol blood reports. PSI Vaman Naik is overseeing the ongoing investigation.
The private SUV, illegally rented and driven by a tourist under alcohol influence, collided with Kitu Behera’s specially designed two-wheeler near a supermarket along the national highway around 5:30 am. Behera, a disabled resident of Dhuler in Mapusa, succumbed to injuries at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) in Bambolim. The accused SUV driver, Naresh Jain (41), a native of Vasai, Palghar in Maharashtra, faces charges under section 304, along with IPC section 279 and section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act for rash driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
