Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Additional Sessions Court at Merces has refused to grant anticipatory bail to 35-year-old Ritesh Shirgaonkar, who is accused of driving a car into a canal at Assonora, leading to the death of his friend, Dipesh Mandrekar.
In her detailed order, Judge Kshama Joshi observed that custodial interrogation was necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the late-night incident and to determine whether the act falls under culpable homicide or a lesser offence. The court noted that the investigation required Shirgaonkar’s full cooperation. “A prima facie case is made out against the applicant,” the order stated.
According to investigators, Shirgaonkar was allegedly behind the wheel of a white Zen car when he drove it into a hilly area near a water canal, purportedly under the influence of alcohol. The car reportedly plunged into the canal and became submerged, resulting in the drowning of Mandrekar, who occupied the front passenger seat.
The defence argued that the tragedy was an unforeseen accident, stressing that Shirgaonkar had no motive and that his blood alcohol level—recorded at 20 mg per 100 ml—was below the threshold required to invoke harsher charges. The defence also contended that he had been cooperating fully with the investigation, making custodial interrogation unnecessary.
However, the prosecution maintained that the accused was withholding key details, including the purpose of visiting an isolated area late at night. The case papers included a medical report noting that although his blood alcohol level was 20 mg, the attending doctor stated that Shirgaonkar was “not in a position to take care of himself.”
The court, after considering both sides, dismissed the anticipatory bail application, allowing investigators to proceed with custodial questioning.
