Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has stayed further proceedings in Criminal Case No. IPC/96/2026/F pending before the JMFC ‘F’ Court, Merces, involving allegations against senior police officials.
The complaint was filed by Kashinath Jairam Shetye, Executive Engineer, Electricity Department and social activist, and named Rahul Gupta, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch; Harischandra Madkaikar, Superintendent of Police, North Goa; Jivba Dalvi, Superintendent of Police; and Tushar Lotliker, Police Inspector, Crime Branch.
The matter relates to allegations concerning the handling of complaints arising from an alleged assault at Merces on May 8, 2026. Old Goa Police Station had registered Crime No. 65/2026 based on a complaint by Yogesh Tigadi and subsequently registered Crime No. 66/2026 based on Shetye’s complaint.
Shetye later approached the JMFC, alleging that the police authorities had failed to act on his complaints and sought initiation of criminal proceedings against the concerned police officials.
The JMFC subsequently passed a pre-cognizance order on June 17, 2026, and issued notice on June 23, 2026. The matter was scheduled for further hearing on September 29, 2026.
Meanwhile, the State and the concerned police officials approached the Bombay High Court at Goa challenging the proceedings and seeking relief, including a stay on the impugned order and further proceedings.
The petition raises issues concerning the jurisdiction of the JMFC, statutory safeguards applicable to public servants and allegations relating to acts allegedly carried out by the police officials in the discharge of their official duties.
The High Court has now stayed further proceedings in the matter. Consequently, the proceedings before the JMFC, Merces, including the hearing scheduled for September 29, will remain subject to further orders of the High Court.
