Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa High Court has quashed an FIR registered against social activist Gaurav Bakshi by the Crime Branch on 2nd July 2025. The case was filed following a complaint by Deputy Conservator of Forest Aditya Madanpatra, after Bakshi posted a video on social media containing unverified allegations against Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his government regarding forest management.
The FIR invoked Sections 353(1) and 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which relate to circulating false information and promoting enmity between groups through written, spoken, or electronic media. According to the complaint, Bakshi’s video accused the government of destroying Goa’s forest cover contrary to Supreme Court directives and allegedly intended to create fear among the public.
Bakshi tendered an apology and confirmed that he had withdrawn the video. Accepting the apology, the High Court granted him relief but directed a cost of ₹50,000 to be paid to the NGO Goa Foundation.
Speaking on Wednesday, Bakshi said he was on vacation when he learned about the FIR, which he described as “false and frivolous.” He added that police had visited his residence on 4th July with a notice for investigation without informing him that he was named as an accused.
He also alleged that the Crime Branch initially refused to provide him a copy of the FIR. Bakshi, who has faced similar legal actions in the past, has sought anticipatory bail in the matter and thanked the court for granting relief.
