Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Israeli national Yaniv Benaim, popularly known as “Atala”, appeared before the trial court at Merces on Tuesday after the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed him to surrender in connection with a narcotics case registered in 2025.
Benaim’s appearance comes after the High Court ordered him to surrender before the trial court by September 16 while scheduling September 21 for hearing his petition challenging the rejection of his latest bail application.
The North Goa Special NDPS Court had earlier turned down his fresh request for bail after taking note of his absence from the proceedings. The trial court subsequently issued a non-bailable warrant against him.
Benaim had been away from the proceedings after his bail was cancelled on August 14. His subsequent challenge before the High Court has now brought the matter back before the higher court, with the bail issue listed for hearing next week.
The case follows an earlier High Court judgment of July 14, in which the court set aside a Sessions Court order that had granted Benaim bail in a case registered by the Anti-Narcotic Cell (ANC).
The ANC had arrested Benaim in April 2025 following a raid at his apartment in Siolim. During the operation, the agency claimed to have recovered narcotic substances along with cash amounting to Rs 8.7 lakh.
