Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: The Mapusa JMFC Court has acquitted 68-year-old Sham Govekar in connection with a January 2025 Rottweiler attack in Assagao, after the complainant and injured victim made no incriminating statements against him during the trial.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on January 29, 2025, at around 10.15 pm near the residence of complainant Sunil Salgaonkar at Badem, Assagao. Govekar was accused of keeping his Rottweiler unleashed and failing to take sufficient precautions to prevent danger to human life.
The dog allegedly attacked Sunil’s 40-year-old brother, Vinil Salgaonkar, and bit him on his left leg. He was subsequently treated at the Primary Health Centre, Siolim.
Based on Sunil Salgaonkar’s complaint, Anjuna Police registered a case alleging negligent conduct with respect to a domestic animal and later filed a charge sheet against Govekar.
During the trial, the complainant, victim and accused submitted a joint application seeking permission to compound the offence following an amicable settlement. Govekar also gave an undertaking that he would never allow the Rottweiler to roam loose, unleashed or unattended in any street, public place or community area and would keep the dog under strict supervision whenever it was taken outside.
The court, however, rejected the application for compounding, observing that the offence was non-compoundable in law and could not be settled even with the court’s permission. The trial was therefore directed to continue.
When the matter was taken up subsequently, both the complainant and the injured victim did not support the prosecution case. Vinil told the court that he and Govekar had settled the dispute amicably and voluntarily, without any force or coercion.
He also stated that he had no grievance against Govekar and requested the court not to rely upon his earlier examination-in-chief.
With the key prosecution witnesses failing to make any incriminating statements against the accused, the court dispensed with recording Govekar’s statement.
The JMFC Court held that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge against Govekar beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly acquitted him.
