Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday granted interim bail to Vikas Bhagat — jailed for rape and murder — to attend his close relative’s wedding on Feb 24. He is accused of raping and murdering British-Irish national Danielle McLaughlin in 2017 at Canacona.
Bhagat filed an application through his advocate Sahil Sardessai, seeking interim bail to attend the wedding at Fatorpa.
Additional public prosecutor Pravin Faldessai told the court that Bhagat was escorted in Nov 2022 to attend his father’s 11th and 12th day observances of last rites. Faldessai added that a similar procedure could be adopted this time too.
The court then directed Bhagat to be escorted by police to the wedding venue at Fatorpa on the morning of Feb 24 and handed back to jail authorities after the ceremony is over. Bhagat was ordered by the court to pay the necessary escort charges and make arrangements through his relatives for a private vehicle for himself and police.
Last year, top British and Irish diplomats met chief minister Pramod Sawant and urged him to ensure the swift conclusion of the rape-and-murder case.
Bhagat filed an application through his advocate Sahil Sardessai, seeking interim bail to attend the wedding at Fatorpa.
Additional public prosecutor Pravin Faldessai told the court that Bhagat was escorted in Nov 2022 to attend his father’s 11th and 12th day observances of last rites. Faldessai added that a similar procedure could be adopted this time too.
The court then directed Bhagat to be escorted by police to the wedding venue at Fatorpa on the morning of Feb 24 and handed back to jail authorities after the ceremony is over. Bhagat was ordered by the court to pay the necessary escort charges and make arrangements through his relatives for a private vehicle for himself and police.
Last year, top British and Irish diplomats met chief minister Pramod Sawant and urged him to ensure the swift conclusion of the rape-and-murder case.
