Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The North Goa Additional Sessions Court has dismissed a second bail application filed by Devidas Barve, an accused in the alleged murder of his son, Shravan Barve, ruling that delays in trial proceedings cannot be the sole basis for granting bail in a grave criminal case.
Barve is among three persons facing trial in connection with the Valpoi-Sattari murder case, alongside Vayudev Ozarekar and Uday Barve. His earlier attempt to secure bail had also been unsuccessful, with the High Court declining relief after taking note of the seriousness of the allegations.
In the latest plea, the defence argued that circumstances had changed since the previous bail rejection. It submitted that the accused had spent a lengthy period in custody and that the trial was progressing slowly. The defence further pointed to delays in examining witnesses, stating that some had failed to appear despite coercive measures being initiated by the court. It also highlighted that certain hearings could not proceed as scheduled due to time constraints.
The prosecution opposed the request, contending that the accused is alleged to have played a central role in the crime. It argued that procedural delays in the trial do not automatically entitle an accused to bail, particularly in a case involving allegations of murder. The State also referred to findings recorded by the High Court while rejecting the earlier bail application.
After reviewing the submissions, the Sessions Court found no fresh circumstances significant enough to justify reconsidering the matter. The court observed that the defence had not brought any substantial new material on record that would warrant a departure from the conclusions reached in previous orders.
The court also examined the issue of the accused’s health. It noted that Barve appeared before the court through video conferencing, was able to communicate clearly, and did not appear to be suffering from any visible health complications. No medical documents were produced to establish the existence of a serious ailment that could support a plea for release.
Holding that the nature of the allegations required a cautious approach, the court concluded that the grounds put forward by the defence were insufficient to grant bail. Accordingly, the application was rejected, and Devidas Barve will remain in judicial custody pending the continuation of the trial.
