The Mapusa Additional Sessions Court has rejected the bail application of David Gabrel Mohite, a resident of Sangli, Maharashtra, accused of causing a fatal accident on National Highway 66 at Colvale while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driving licence.

The court took note of eyewitness accounts alleging that the occupants of the SUV attempted to change the driver's identity after the collision. The court also raised concerns about the possibility of Mohite absconding and the potential impact of his release on the pending Test Identification Parade (TIP).

According to the prosecution, the accident occurred at around 5.30 pm on October 3, opposite Ghotneshwar Temple in Colvale. Mohite was allegedly driving an SUV from Karaswada towards Pernem when he attempted to overtake another vehicle in a rash and negligent manner before colliding with a scooter travelling in the same direction.

The collision reportedly injured scooter rider Kalpesh Jain and his young daughter, Dhiya Jain. The pillion rider, 36-year-old Akansha Bhansali, a resident of Bhayandar West in Thane, sustained severe head injuries and later died while undergoing treatment at Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim.

The prosecution informed the court that a test reportedly recorded Mohite's blood alcohol concentration at 110 mg%, significantly above the statutory limit. Police registered an FIR invoking provisions relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Mohite was arrested on October 8 and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Opposing his bail plea, the prosecution argued that the alleged level of intoxication, coupled with driving without a valid licence, indicated a serious disregard for road safety.

The court also considered eyewitness statements alleging that Mohite exited the driver's seat after the crash while another occupant moved into it, potentially misleading investigators about who had been driving the vehicle.

The pending TIP was another factor in the court's decision, with concerns that releasing the accused could affect the identification process. The court further noted that Mohite was not a permanent resident of Goa and considered the risk of him absconding.