The Mapusa Additional Sessions Court has granted regular bail to 43-year-old Girish Laxman Gaonkar in connection with an alleged bar assault and firearms case registered at Bicholim Police Station.

​The matter originates from an incident that took place around 9:00 PM on June 5, 2026, at Uttam Pole Bar and Restaurant in Poira, Bicholim. According to the complainant, Yaduvir Gaonkar—a resident of the same village—the applicant and his brother, Prajyot Gaonkar, picked a quarrel with him.

​During the altercation, Girish Gaonkar allegedly pulled the complainant's T-shirt and pushed him to the ground. Simultaneously, his brother Prajyot allegedly abused and threatened the complainant, brandished a firearm, and struck him on the forehead with the barrel of the weapon, inflicting a bleeding injury before both accused fled on a scooter. After registration of FIR by Bicholim police, Girish Gaonkar was arrested on June 24, 2026, pursuant to a transfer warrant.

​Defence Counsel Adv. Sanket Mhambre argued that Girish was falsely implicated and that the specific overt act of brandishing and using the weapon was attributed exclusively to his brother, Prajyot. Counsel highlighted that the firearm was never discharged, no recovery was required from the applicant.


​Opposing the bail ples, Public Prosecutor contended that the applicant is a habitual offender who posed an active danger to public peace and could intimidate local witnesses. The prosecution pointed to active criminal antecedents, including a case registered by Bicholim police —in which shots had reportedly been fired—along with earlier FIRs from 2015 and 2017.

​After hearing both the sides, the Court has directed the release of the accused Girish Gaonkar over executing a personal bond of ₹30,000 with one local surety of like amount, observing that the investigation is complete with the filing of the chargesheet and that continued pre-trial incarceration is unwarranted.